Input device and operated member

Abstract

This input device enables a user to arbitrarily select presence / absence of an operated member. The input device has a support member (210). The support member has an axle (212) and moves about an axis (Ax1) defined by the axle. A sensor (240) is spaced from the axis in a first direction orthogonal to the axis and outputs a signal responsive to movement of the support member. An operated member (17) extends in a second direction perpendicular to the axis and crossing the first direction, and protrudes from a lower case (80). The operated member is attached to the support member for movement therewith, and can be detached from the support member by operation from outside the lower case.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an input device and an operable member.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an input device for inputting a user's instruction to a game device. The input device has a left grip and a right grip held by the user, and a plurality of operation buttons and direction keys operated by the user's thumb are arranged on the upper surface of the input device while holding the left and right grips, respectively. Further, two operation buttons operated by the user's middle finger are arranged on the lower surface of the input device while holding the left and right grips.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an information processing device such as a game device, various games (game programs) can be executed. However, some of these games do not use some operable members (such as operation buttons). For this reason, there is a desire to enable the user to arbitrarily select the presence or absence of the operable member in the input device according to the game.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to enable the user to arbitrarily select the presence or absence of the operable member in the input device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The input device according to this disclosure includes a support member having a shaft portion and moving about an axis defined in the shaft portion; a sensor that is located away from the axis in a first direction perpendicular to the axis and outputs a signal corresponding to the movement of the support member; a housing that houses the support member and the sensor; and an operable member that extends in a second direction perpendicular to the axis and intersects the first direction and protrudes from the housing. The operable member is attached to the support member so as to move together with the support member and can be removed from the support member by operation from outside the housing. This allows the user to arbitrarily select whether or not to include the operable member in the input device.

[0007] Furthermore, the operable member according to this disclosure is an operable member attached to a support member of an input device, and has a protruding portion having an operable surface that is operated by the user's finger, and an insertion portion that extends in a first direction and is inserted into the inside of a hole formed in the support member. The insertion portion is oriented in a second direction intersecting the first direction and has a magnetic force receiving surface that is oriented toward the magnet of the support member. This allows the operable member to be removed from the support member of the input device, and allows the user to arbitrarily select whether or not to include the operable member in the input device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing the top surface of an input device according to an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a bottom view showing the underside of the input device. [Figure 3] This perspective view shows the side and bottom of the input device, with the rear buttons removed. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the top of the input device with the top cover and stick unit removed. [Figure 5] This is a disassembled perspective view of the input device. [Figure 6]This is a perspective view showing the underside of the main frame, and an exploded perspective view showing the two trigger units removed. [Figure 7A] This is a perspective view showing the underside of the reinforcing frame. [Figure 7B] This is a perspective view showing the underside of the reinforcing frame, with the rear button and retaining member removed. [Figure 8] This is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting structure of the upper case, main frame, circuit board, reinforcing frame, and lower case. [Figure 9] This is an exploded perspective view showing the lower case and lower cover. [Figure 10A] This is a side view of the rear button. [Figure 10B] This is a side view of the rear button. [Figure 11A] Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view along the XIA-XIA line. [Figure 11B] Figure 11A shows the movement of removing the rear button in a cross-sectional view. [Figure 11C] Figure 11A shows the movement of removing the rear button in a cross-sectional view. [Figure 11D] Figure 11A shows the movement of removing the rear button in a cross-sectional view. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view showing the circuit board, reinforcing frame, and stick unit. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view showing the underside of the stick unit. [Figure 14] This is a rear view showing the rear of the reinforcing frame to which the stick unit is attached. [Figure 15] This is a disassembled perspective view of the stick unit. [Figure 16] Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view along the line XVI-XVI. [Figure 17] This is a disassembled perspective view of the control stick. [Figure 18A] This is a cross-section of the control stick. [Figure 18B] This is a cross-section of the control stick. [Figure 19A] It is a perspective view of the trigger unit. [Figure 19B] It is a perspective view of the trigger unit. [Figure 20] It is an exploded perspective view of the trigger unit. [Figure 21A] It is a view showing the trigger button, the stopper member, and the operation member. [Figure 21B] It is a view showing the trigger button, the stopper member, and the operation member. [Figure 21C] It is a view showing the trigger button, the stopper member, and the operation member. [Figure 21D] It is a view showing the trigger button, the stopper member, and the operation member. [Figure 22] It is a view showing the stopper member and the circuit board. [Figure 23] It is a view showing the internal structure of the core unit. [Figure 24] It is an exploded perspective view showing the lower surface of the upper cover and the main body of the input device. [Figure 25] It is a bottom view showing the lower surface of the input device according to another example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 26] It is a view showing a part of the lower surface of the input device with the lower cover removed. [Figure 27] It is a view showing a part of the upper cover and a part of the slide member. [Figure 28] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVIII - XXVIII of FIG. 25. [Figure 29A] It is a plan view of the input device with the upper cover removed. [Figure 29B] It is a plan view of the input device with the upper cover removed. [Figure 30A] It is a view showing the stick unit and the stopper member. [Figure 30B] It is a view showing the stick unit and the stopper member. [Figure 30C] It is a view showing the stick unit and the stopper member. [Figure 31]This is a rear view showing the back of the stick unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a plan view showing the top surface of an input device 1A according to an example of an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a bottom view showing the bottom surface of the input device 1A. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the side and bottom surfaces of the input device 1A. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the top surface of the input device 1A, with the top cover 20 and the two stick units 30 (described later) removed. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 1A.

[0010] In the following explanation, the X1 and X2 directions of the X-axis (the direction in which the left and right grips 10BL and 10BR, described later, are aligned), as shown in Figure 1, will be defined as the right and left directions, respectively. The Y1 and Y2 directions of the Y-axis, perpendicular to the X-axis, will be defined as the front and rear directions, respectively. Furthermore, the Z1 and Z2 directions of the Z-axis (the extension direction of the control stick 400, described later), perpendicular to the X and Y axes, as shown in Figure 3, will be defined as the upward and downward directions, respectively. However, these directions and positions are defined to explain the shape and relative positional relationships of the elements (components, members, and parts) of the input device 1A, and do not limit the orientation of the input device 1A.

[0011] [Overview of input devices and their respective operating components] Input device 1A is used as a game input device for an information processing device having a game program execution function. Input device 1A may also be used as an input device for an information processing device having a video playback function or an internet communication function. Input device 1A is capable of wired or wireless communication with the information processing device and transmits signals to the information processing device in response to operations performed by the user on input device 1A.

[0012] The input device 1A has a main body 10 (see Figure 4) that constitutes the outer surface of the input device 1A. The main body 10 includes an upper case 40 and a lower case 80 (see Figure 5), and internal structures such as a main frame 50 (see Figure 5) housed therein. An upper cover 20 (first outer cover) and a lower cover 90 (second outer cover) are attached to the main body 10. In the following description, the upper case 40 and the lower case 80 may be simply referred to as cases 40 and 80. Similarly, the upper cover 20 and the lower cover 90 may be simply referred to as covers 20 and 90. Part of the outer surface of the input device 1A is made up of cases 40 and 80, and the other part is made up of covers 20 and 90.

[0013] The outer surface of the input device 1A includes an upper surface 1d (see Figure 1) facing upward (first direction), a front surface 1e (see Figure 3) facing forward (second direction perpendicular to the first direction), and a lower surface 1f (see Figure 3) facing downward.

[0014] The top surface 1f is the surface formed by the upper case 40 and the upper cover 20. As shown in Figure 1, the main body 10 of the input device 1A has four operation buttons 11, a directional key 12, and an operation pad 18 that protrude upward from the top surface 1d. The input device 1A also has an operation stick 400 that protrudes upward from the top surface 1d. The bottom surface 1f is the surface formed by the lower case 80 and the lower cover 90. The rear switch 19 and rear button 17, which will be described later, are located on the bottom surface 1f. The front surface 1e is the surface that connects the front side of the top surface 1d and the front side of the bottom surface 1f. As shown in Figure 3, the main body 10 of the input device 1A has two operation buttons 15 and two trigger buttons 16 that protrude forward from the front surface 1e.

[0015] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the main body 10 of the input device 1A has a front device section 10F on which multiple operating members are arranged. The front device section 10F has a right section 10R on which four push buttons 11 are arranged, a left section 10L on which directional keys 12 are arranged, and a central section 10M which is the part between the right section 10R and the left section 10L. Two operating buttons 15 are arranged on the front of the right section 10R and the front of the left section 10L, respectively. As shown in Figure 3, two trigger buttons 16 are arranged below the two operating buttons 15, respectively.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the input device 1A has a right grip 10BR extending rearward from the right part 10R of the front part 10F of the device, and a left grip 10BL extending rearward from the left part 10L of the front part 10F of the device. The right grip 10BR and the left grip 10BL extend rearward from the rear edge 10Ma of the central part 10M. The rear end of the right grip 10BR and the rear end of the left grip 10BL are located rearward from the rear edge 10Ma of the central part 10M. The user can stably grasp the input device 1A by supporting the right grip 10BR with their right hand and the left grip 10BL with their left hand. In this state, the user can press the operation button 11 downward with their right thumb, press the directional key 12 with their left thumb, or press the operation button 15 and trigger button 16 rearward with their index or middle finger.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the main body 10 of the input device 1A has a plate-shaped operation pad 18 in its central part 10M. The operation pad 18 has a touch sensor. The touch sensor is, for example, a capacitive sensor, and outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the finger touching the upper surface of the operation pad 18. The operation pad 18 may be supported so as to be able to move up and down in response to a user's pressing operation.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the input device 1A has an operation stick 400 behind the operation pad 18. In this embodiment, the input device 1A has two operation sticks 400. The two operation sticks 400 are located behind the central section 10M, which is behind the operation pad 18, and are aligned horizontally. One of the two operation sticks 400 is located on the left side of the central section 10M, and the other is located on the right side of the central section 10M. The user can tilt the operation stick 400 with respect to the center line of the operation stick 400 in its initial position, and can also rotate the operation stick 400 about this center line. The operation stick 400 may be supported so as to be able to move up and down to function as an operation button. An operation member different from the operation sticks 400 (such as an operation button) may be located between the two operation sticks 400.

[0019] [Placement of function buttons] In this embodiment, two function buttons 350 are positioned behind each of the two control sticks 400. The function buttons 350 can be used, for example, to set the game environment when the information processing device is executing a game (processing a game program). In other words, instructions can be input to the operating system by operating the function buttons 350. The user can set the game environment by, for example, pressing one of the two function buttons 350 while operating the other control element (for example, the control button 11 or the directional key 12).

[0020] "Game environment" refers to various factors such as the volume of the game sound emitted from the speakers, the volume of voice chat (the volume of the other person's voice), the magnitude and presence of vibrations generated by the vibration motor 120 (see Figure 5), the magnitude and presence of resistance to pressing the trigger button 16, the sensitivity of the touch sensor on the control pad 18, and the sensitivity of the control stick 400 (the amount of movement of the game screen or game objects in relation to the angle of the control stick 400). "Game environment" also refers to the assignment of functions in the game to control components such as control buttons 11 and 15. The function button 350 can also function as a shift key button or control key button, for example, to assign a different function to other control components (such as control button 11).

[0021] The function button 350 protrudes rearward from the central part 10M of the input device 1A and, in the plan view shown in Figure 1, is located in area A enclosed by the rear edge 10Ma of the central part 10M, the right side 10La of the left grip, and the left side 10Ra of the right grip. By positioning the function button 350 in this way, for example, it does not interfere with the user's gameplay (operation of the control buttons 11, directional keys 12, control stick 400, etc.), and the user can quickly operate the function button 350 as needed.

[0022] In the example shown in Figure 1, the function buttons 350 are positioned behind the control stick 400 that the user operates with their thumb. More specifically, the left function button 350 is positioned behind the control stick 400 located on the left side of the central section 10M, and the right function button 350 is positioned behind the control stick 400 located on the right side of the central section 10M. Therefore, the user can easily operate the right function button 350 by shifting the position of their thumb, which is operating the control element of the right section 10R (for example, the right control stick 400), backward. Similarly, the user can easily operate the left function button 350 by shifting the position of their thumb, which is operating the control element of the left section 10L (for example, the left control stick 400), backward.

[0023] The function button 350 can be pressed downwards. Other operating elements (operation buttons 11 and directional keys 12) located on the upper surface 1d of the input device 1A can also be pressed downwards. In other words, the operating direction of the function button 350 is the same as that of the other operating elements. This allows the user to easily press the function button 350 with their thumb. Furthermore, a textured pattern may be formed on the upper surface of the function button 350. This prevents the user's thumb from slipping on the upper surface of the function button 350, making it easier to operate the function button 350 with the thumb.

[0024] [Rear button placement] As shown in Figure 3, the lower surface 1f of the main body 10 of the input device 1A has two holes H10, to which two rear buttons 17 (operated members) are attached. The two holes H10 are aligned horizontally on the front part 10F of the device, with one on the left side of the main body 10 and the other on the right side of the main body 10. The two holes H10 are located in front of the left grip 10BL and the right grip 10BR, and are positioned between the left grip 10BL and the right grip 10BR in the horizontal direction.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the lower surface 1f of the main body 10 of the input device 1A is provided with two holes H20 through which the rear switch 19, described later, is exposed. The two holes H20 are located in front of the two holes H10 on the front part 10F of the device and are aligned in the left-right direction. The two holes H20 are located between the two trigger buttons 16 in the left-right direction.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rear buttons 17 attached to each hole H10 protrude downward from the lower surface 1f of the main body 10 and have an operable surface 17a that can be pressed by the user's finger. The operable surface 17a of the rear button 17 attached to the left of the two holes H10 (the right hole H10 in Figure 2) faces diagonally forward and to the right. The operable surface 17a of the rear button 17 attached to the right hole H10 (the left hole H10 in Figure 2) faces diagonally forward and to the left. The left rear button 17 can be pushed down diagonally to the left and backward, and the right rear button 17 can be pushed down diagonally to the right and backward. The user can operate the rear button 17 by pressing it down, for example, with their middle finger while holding the left grip 10BL and the right grip 10BR. The user can easily operate the rear button 17 on the left side using their left middle finger, as they can press down on the left grip 10BL, and they can easily operate the rear button 17 on the right side using their right middle finger, as they can press down on the right grip 10BR.

[0027] As will be described later, the rear button 17 is attached to the hole H10 by magnetic force. The user can remove the rear button 17 attached to the main unit 10 without using any tools. For example, some games run on the information processing device do not use the rear button 17. Therefore, by making the rear button 17 removable, the user can arbitrarily choose whether or not to attach the rear button 17 to the input device 1A depending on the type of game run on the information processing device.

[0028] The upper cover 20 is attached to the main body 10 of the input device 1A (more specifically, the upper case 40 shown in Figure 5, which will be described later), and covers the top surface of the main body 10. The user can remove the upper cover 20 from the main body 10 without using tools such as a screwdriver. The mounting structure of the rear button 17 will be described in detail later.

[0029] [Control Stick] As shown in Figure 4, the main body 10 of the input device 1A has a housing recess U10 for housing the stick unit 30. The stick unit 30 is an operating member unit having an operating stick 400 and a circuit for detecting the movement of the operating stick 400 (a circuit mounted on the circuit board 320 shown in Figure 16). The stick unit 30 is detachable from the housing recess U10 of the main body 10. The housing recess U10 opens upward (in the Z1 direction) and backward (in the Y2 direction). That is, the housing recess U10 opens in the direction perpendicular to the circuit board 60 (see Figure 5), which will be described later, as indicated by arrow D1 in Figure 4 (the direction in which the operating stick 400 protrudes), and in the direction along the circuit board 60, as indicated by arrow D2 in the same figure.

[0030] The user can remove the stick unit 30 attached to the main body 10 by pulling it backward while the upper cover 20 is removed from the main body 10 and the stopper member 77 (described later) is pulled outwards in the left-right direction. This allows the user to replace the stick unit 30 with another stick unit (for example, an unused stick unit, a stick unit with a different height for the control stick 400, or a stick unit with decorations). Since the housing recess U10 opens in two directions, upward (Z1 direction) and backward (Y2 direction), the user can pull out the stick unit 30 backward while holding down the upper side of the stick unit 30, for example, making the removal of the stick unit 30 easier.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the stick unit 30 is equipped with an operating stick 400 and a function button 350. The upper cover 20 has holes (openings) H30 and H40, respectively, that expose at least a portion of the stick unit 30. The operating stick 400, which protrudes upward from the stick unit 30, passes through the hole H30 in the upper cover 20, and the function button 350, which protrudes rearward from the stick unit 30, passes through the hole H40 in the upper cover 20. The mounting structure of the stick unit 30 will be described in detail later.

[0032] [Case and internal structure] As shown in Figure 5, the input device 1A includes an upper cover 20, two stick units 30, an upper case 40, a main frame 50 (first frame), a circuit board 60, a reinforcing frame 70 (second frame), a lower case 80, and a lower cover 90. In the example shown in Figure 5, the rear button 17 has been removed.

[0033] The upper case 40 and the lower case 80 are housings that contain the internal structure of the input device 1A and form the outer surface of the input device 1A. The upper case 40 forms a portion of the outer surface of the device front 10F, the right grip 10BR, and the left grip 10BL. Similarly, the lower case 80 forms a portion of the outer surface of the device front 10F, the right grip 10BR, and the left grip 10BL.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the input device 1A includes a main frame 50, a circuit board 60, and a reinforcing frame 70 as its internal structure. The main frame 50 and the reinforcing frame 70 are mounted to each other in the vertical direction. The circuit board 60 has a processor (not shown) and is located in the central part 10M of the input device 1A (see Figure 1). The circuit board 60 is located between the main frame 50 and the reinforcing frame 70. A battery 110 is located between the reinforcing frame 70 and the lower case 80. In the following description, the main frame 50 and the reinforcing frame 70 may be simply referred to as frames 50 and 70.

[0035] The upper case 40 covers the upper part of the internal structure of the input device 1A (specifically, the main frame 50 and the reinforcing frame 70), which includes the main frame 50 and the reinforcing frame 70, and is attached to the internal structure. The lower case 80 covers the lower part of the same internal structure and is attached to the internal structure in the same way as the upper case 40. In this way, the internal structure has a reinforcing frame 70 in addition to the main frame 50, thus improving its rigidity. By attaching the upper case 40 and the lower case 80 to the internal structure, which has high rigidity, the rigidity of both the upper case 40 and the lower case 80 can be ensured.

[0036] The upper case 40, main frame 50, reinforcing frame 70, and lower case 80 are formed of, for example, resin. This makes it easier to process the upper case 40, main frame 50, reinforcing frame 70, and lower case 80, and increases the degree of freedom in the mounting position of the screws (position of mounting holes) that fix them together. However, the material of the upper case 40, main frame 50, reinforcing frame 70, and lower case 80 is not limited to resin, but may be metal, for example.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, the upper case 40 has recesses U11 at the positions where the two stick units 30 are each positioned. The recesses U11 are formed on the rear edge of the upper case 40 and open toward the rear. Similarly, the main frame 50 has recesses U12 at the positions where the two stick units 30 are each positioned. The recesses U12 are formed on the rear edge of the main frame 50 and open toward the rear. The housing recess U10 (see Figure 4) that accommodates the stick units 30 is composed of the recesses U11 in the upper case 40 and the recesses U12 in the main frame 50. The lower case 80 does not have recesses like the upper case 40 and the main frame 50. Unlike the example shown in the figure, the upper case 40 and the main frame 50 may have upward-facing recesses that accommodate the stick units 30 instead of recesses U11 and U12.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, a circuit board on which switches corresponding to each operation button 11 are mounted may be placed on the top surface of the main frame 50. The switches may be, for example, membrane switches. In this case, a resin sheet on which the membrane switches are mounted may be used as the circuit board. Switches corresponding to each direction indicated by the directional keys 12 may also be placed below the directional keys 12.

[0039] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the underside of the main frame 50. Two vibration motors 120 are mounted on the main frame 50 in the portions located inside the right grip 10BR and the left grip 10BL, respectively. Two trigger units 130L and 130R, each having an operation button 15 and a trigger button 16, are mounted on the underside of the main frame 50. The two trigger units 130L and 130R are attached to the underside of the main frame 50 by screws.

[0040] As shown in Figure 6, the two trigger units 130L and 130R are arranged horizontally, with trigger unit 130L positioned on the left side of input device 1A (left side 10L of the device front 10F), and trigger unit 130R positioned on the right side of input device 1A (right side 10R of the device front 10F). Hereafter, the two trigger units 130L and 130R may simply be referred to as trigger unit 130.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, the main frame 50 has two mounting holes H51 (first part and second part) that are spaced apart in the left-right direction. Two recesses U12 (recesses where the stick unit 30 is placed) formed in the main frame 50 are formed at positions spaced apart in the left-right direction. The two recesses U12 are formed between the two mounting holes H51, H51. As will be described later, a reinforcing frame 70 is fixed to these mounting holes H51, H51, thereby strengthening the rigidity of the main frame 50 around the recesses U12. In addition, the two mounting holes H51, H51 are each located near the vibration motor 120. Therefore, by fixing the reinforcing frame 70 to the mounting holes H51, H51, the rigidity of the main frame 50 around the vibration motor 120 can be strengthened.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, a circuit board 60 is mounted on the underside of the main frame 50. In the example shown in Figure 5, the circuit board 60 has a roughly T-shape, and its shape avoids the two recesses U12 formed in the main frame 50. In detail, the circuit board 60 has a rectangular front board portion 61 located below the operation pad 18, and a rear board portion 62 extending rearward from the lower center end of the front board portion 61. Recesses U12 are secured behind the right and left sides of the front board portion 61. The rear board portion 62 is positioned between the two recesses U12. By shaping the circuit board 60 in this way, the surface area of ​​the circuit board 60 can be increased compared to the case where the circuit board 60 only has a rectangular front board portion 61, and space can be secured for wiring and mounted components on the circuit board 60.

[0043] The reinforcing frame 70 is attached to the main frame 50 and positioned below the main frame 50. The reinforcing frame 70 is made of a material that has higher rigidity than, for example, the main frame 50. By attaching the reinforcing frame 70 to the main frame 50, the rigidity of the entire internal structure, including the main frame 50 and the circuit board 60, can be ensured. In addition, the upper case 40 and the lower case 80 are fixed to the internal structure, including the main frame 50 and the reinforcing frame 70, by screws (not shown). This ensures the rigidity of the upper case 40 and the lower case 80, improving the overall rigidity of the input device 1A.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, the reinforcing frame 70 has a front frame portion 71 that supports the front portion 61 of the circuit board 60 and a rear frame portion 72 that supports the rear portion 62 of the circuit board 60. The front frame portion 71 and the rear frame portion 72 are, for example, rectangular. The rear frame portion 72 is connected to the trailing edge of the front frame portion 71 and is a rectangle that is longer in the left-right direction than the front frame portion 71. Two stages 73 (see Figure 4) are provided on the right and left sides of the rear frame portion 72, on which two stick units 30 are respectively placed. The rear portion 62 of the circuit board is positioned between the two stages 73 in the rear frame portion 72.

[0045] Figure 7A is a perspective view showing the underside of the reinforcing frame 70 to which the rear button 17 is attached. Figure 7B is a perspective view showing the underside of the reinforcing frame 70, and shows the state in which the rear button 17 and the retaining member 220 (described later) have been removed. As shown in Figures 5 and 7A, a box-shaped housing portion 71a for housing the battery 110 is formed in the front part 71 of the reinforcing frame 70. In addition, a recess 71b for housing the cable connected to the battery 110 is formed inside the housing portion 71a.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7A, the reinforcing frame 70 has multiple mounting holes H71, H72, H75, and H76. Multiple mounting holes H71 and multiple mounting holes H72 are aligned in the left-right direction on the rear edge of the reinforcing frame 70. Multiple mounting holes H76 are located on the left edge and right edge of the reinforcing frame 70, respectively, and are formed in front of mounting holes H71. Mounting hole H75 (see Figure 8) is located inside the housing portion 71a. Mounting hole H75 may be located between mounting holes H76.

[0047] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting structure of the upper case 40, main frame 50, circuit board 60, reinforcing frame 70, and lower case 80. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the lower case 80 and lower cover 90. As shown in Figure 9, the lower case 80 has a plurality of mounting holes H81, H82, H86, H88, and H89 formed therein as mounting parts to be attached to at least one of the upper case 40, main frame 50, and reinforcing frame 70. The plurality of mounting holes H81 and H82 are arranged in the left-right direction along the rear edge of the case 80. The plurality of mounting holes H86 are located between the front and rear edges of the case 80 and are formed spaced apart in the left-right direction. Two mounting holes H88 are formed at the rear ends of the left and right grips 10BR and 10BL. Two mounting holes H89 are provided on the front edge of the case 80. Specifically, they are formed on the edge of the opening where the operation button 15 is located on the inside.

[0048] The input device 1A has multiple screws. These screws secure the lower case 80 to at least one of the upper case 40, the main frame 50, and the reinforcing frame 70. The upper case 40, the main frame 50, the reinforcing frame 70, and the lower case 80 each have mounting holes (mounting parts) into which the common screws are inserted.

[0049] For example, a screw inserted from below into the mounting hole H81 of the lower case 80 passes along the straight line L1-L4 through the mounting hole H71 of the reinforcing frame 70 (see Figure 7A) and the mounting hole H51 of the main frame 50 (see Figure 6), and fits into the mounting hole (not shown) of the upper case 40. This allows the lower case 80, reinforcing frame 70, main frame 50, and upper case 40 to be attached to each other. As shown in Figure 6, the strength can be increased by attaching the area around the two recesses U12 formed between the mounting holes H51, H51 in the main frame 50 to the reinforcing frame 70 using the mounting holes H51, H51. In addition, since the upper case 40, main frame 50, reinforcing frame 70, and lower case 80 are fixed to each other with a common screw, the work of attaching these components becomes easier.

[0050] Furthermore, each screw inserted into the mounting hole H82 (see Figure 9) of the lower case 80 passes along the straight lines L2 and L3 (see Figure 8), respectively, through the mounting hole H72 (see Figure 7A) of the reinforcing frame 70, and fits into the mounting hole (not shown) of the upper case 40. The mounting hole H72 of the reinforcing frame 70 is not fixed to the main frame 50, but the portion between the two recesses U12 of the main frame 50 between the mounting holes H72 fits inside the upper case 40. This suppresses rattling of the main frame 50 between the mounting holes H72, H72.

[0051] A screw inserted from below into the mounting hole H86 (see Figure 9) of the lower case 80 fits into the mounting hole H76 of the reinforcing frame 70. Also, screws inserted into the mounting holes H88, H88 located at the rear ends of the left and right grips 10BL, 10BR on the lower case 80 pass through the mounting holes H58, H58 of the main frame 50 along the straight lines L5, L6 and fit into the mounting holes (not shown) of the upper case 40. This suppresses rattling of the rear end of the main frame 50 (the part behind the vibration motor 120) inside the input device 1A. In addition, a screw inserted from below into the mounting hole H89 (see Figure 9) formed on the front edge of the lower case 80 fits into the mounting hole of the upper case 40.

[0052] As shown in Figure 8, the screws inserted into the mounting holes H75 of the reinforcing frame 70 follow a straight line L7, passing through the mounting holes (not shown) of the circuit board 60 and the mounting holes H55 (see Figure 6) of the main frame 50, and then fitting into the mounting holes (not shown) of the upper case 40. This fixes the circuit board 60 between the main frame 50 and the reinforcing frame 70. The rear portion 62 (see Figure 5) of the circuit board 60 fits inside the upper case 40 between the mounting holes H72 (see Figure 7A) of the reinforcing frame 70, similar to the main frame 50. This also suppresses rattling of the rear portion 62 of the circuit board.

[0053] In this way, by inserting multiple screws into the lower case 80, the rigidity of the input device 1A can be ensured by attaching the lower case 80 to the upper case 40, main frame 50, circuit board 60, and reinforcing frame 70. Since all of the multiple screws used to fix the upper case 40 or reinforcing frame 70 to the lower case 80 are inserted from the underside of the lower case 80, the work efficiency when assembling the input device 1A can be improved.

[0054] [Bottom cover] On the lower surface 82 of the lower case 80, several screws inserted into the lower case 80 are exposed. As shown in Figure 9, the lower cover 90 is attached to the lower surface 82 of the lower case 80 and covers several mounting holes (e.g., mounting holes H81, H82, H86, H88) formed in the lower case 80. As shown in Figures 2 and 9, the lower cover 90 constitutes at least a portion of the lower surface of the front part 10F of the device, the left side 10Ra of the right grip 10BR, and the right side 10La of the left grip 10BL. In this way, by covering the several screws inserted into the lower case 80 with the lower cover 90, the fixing strength of the cases 40 and 80 and the frames 50 and 70 can be increased while minimizing the impact on the good appearance of the input device 1A.

[0055] The multiple screws inserted into the lower case 80 are inserted from the underside of the lower case 80 toward the upper case 40. As shown in Figure 4, when the upper cover 20 is removed from the input device 1A for replacement of the stick unit 30, the screws are not exposed from the upper case 40. Therefore, even when the upper cover 20 is removed from the input device 1A, the appearance of the input device 1A can be maintained, and the user can be prevented from accidentally removing the screws.

[0056] As shown in Figures 2 and 9, the lower cover 90 constitutes the left side surface 10Ra of the right grip 10BR and the right side surface 10La of the left grip 10BL. The lower cover 90 exposes the lower case 80 on the right side surface 10Rb of the right grip 10BR and the left side surface 10Lb of the left grip 10BL. The surface of the right portion 90R (see Figure 9) of the lower cover 90 (left side surface 10Ra) has a different surface morphology (indicated by hatching in Figure 9) than the right side surface 10Rb of the right grip 10BR. Also, the surface of the left portion 90L (see Figure 9) of the lower cover 90 (right side surface 10La) has a different surface morphology than the left side surface surface 10Lb of the left grip 10BL.

[0057] Here, "different surface morphology" means that the tactile sensation (feel) when the user touches it is different, for example, the shape or material (hardness, etc.) of the surface is different. For example, in the shaded areas in Figures 2 and 9, the right side surface 10Rb of the right grip 10BR and the left side surface 10Lb of the left grip 10BL have different surface morphologies. When the user is holding the input device 1A, the user's fingers holding the left grip 10BL touch the right side surface 10La of the left grip 10BL, and the user's fingers holding the right grip 10BR touch the left side surface 10Ra of the right grip 10BR. The user's fingers touch the surfaces of the left and right grips 10BL and 10BR that face the center of the input device 1A. Here, by providing areas with different surface morphologies in the part of the lower cover 90 that the user's fingers touch, the user can select the lower cover 90 that gives their fingers their preferred tactile sensation.

[0058] In this embodiment, the surface of the lower cover 90 has an uneven pattern on the left side 10Ra of the right grip 10BR and the right side 10La of the left grip 10BL, with a different surface morphology from the right side 10Rb of the right grip 10BR and the left side 10Lb of the left grip 10BL. By forming an uneven pattern in the areas where the fingers make contact, the user can grip the input device 1A more stably. The lower cover 90 may be formed by two-color molding. That is, the material of the area where the uneven pattern is formed may be different from the material of the other areas. The area where the uneven pattern is formed may be made of an elastic resin or rubber.

[0059] In this embodiment, no uneven patterns are formed on the right side surface 10Rb of the right grip 10BR and the left side surface 10Lb of the left grip 10BL. That is, no uneven patterns are formed on the right side surface 10Rb and the left side surface surface 10Lb that constitute the outside of the input device 1A in the left-right direction. This suppresses wear of the uneven patterns caused by the outside of the input device 1A coming into contact with other materials (such as walls and floors in the room) in the left-right direction, and allows the quality of the input device 1A to be maintained over a long period of time.

[0060] No uneven pattern is formed on the portion 90M that constitutes the central part 10M of the lower cover 90. The rear button 17 is located on the underside of the central part 10M. Since no uneven pattern is formed on this portion, the user can smoothly move their finger along the underside of the lower cover 90 to operate the rear button 17. In addition, the left portion 90L and the right portion 90R of the lower cover 90 are connected by portion 90M. Therefore, compared to a structure in which the left portion 90L and the right portion 90R are two independent components, the number of parts can be reduced, and the assembly of the input device 1A can be simplified.

[0061] The lower cover 90 covers the portion of the device front 10F behind the two holes H20 that expose the rear switch 19. The front edge of the lower cover 90 is located behind the two holes H20. This prevents the space inside the lower case 80 (the space where the internal structure, including the frame 50 and 70, etc., is located) from being reduced by the thickness of the lower cover 90 around the two holes H20.

[0062] As shown in Figure 9, the lower case 80 has two holes H11 arranged in the left-right direction. The lower cover 90 also has two holes H12 arranged in the left-right direction. Holes H11 and H12 are in the same position in the left-right and front-back directions and constitute the hole H10 into which the rear button 17 is inserted.

[0063] As shown in Figure 9, the lower case 80 has a plurality of engaging portions 81 formed thereon. The engaging portions 81 are, for example, holes or recesses. The cover 90 has engaging portions 91 (see Figure 5) that catch on the engaging portions 81. The engaging portions 91 are, for example, protrusions that fit into the engaging portions 81, which are holes or recesses, and claws are formed on the protrusions. The lower cover 90 can be attached to the lower case 80 by the engagement of the engaging portions 81, 91.

[0064] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the upper cover 20 has an edge portion 24 on a part of its outer periphery, and the lower cover 90 has an edge portion 92 on a part of its outer periphery adjacent to the edge portion 24 of the upper cover 20. In this way, the upper cover 20 and the lower cover 90 have adjacent edges 24 and 92, which improves the appearance of the input device 1B. The upper cover 20 has a rear wall portion 23 that forms the rear edge in the central part of the upper cover 20, and has edge portions 24 on the right and left sides, which are located on opposite sides of the rear edge of the upper cover 20. The lower cover 90 also has edge portions 92 on the right and left sides. The edge portions 24 (protruding edges) located on the right and left sides of the upper cover 20 are located behind the rear edge (more specifically, the outer surface of the rear wall portion 23) located in the central part of the upper cover 20.

[0065] As mentioned above, the lower cover 90 constitutes the left side 10Ra of the right grip 10BR and the right side 10La of the left grip 10BL. Here, the two edges 92 of the lower cover 90 are positioned on the left side 10Ra of the right grip 10BR and the right side 10La of the left grip 10BL, respectively. Also, the two edges 24 of the upper cover 20 are adjacent to the left side 10Ra of the right grip 10BR and the right side 10La of the left grip 10BL, respectively. The outer surface of the upper cover 20 and the outer surface of the lower cover 90 at the edges 24 and 92 are flush. This makes the appearance of the input device 1B better.

[0066] [Rear button mounting structure] Figure 10A is a front view of the operable surface 17a of the rear button 17, and Figure 10B is a side view of the rear button 17. In this embodiment, the two rear buttons 17 attached to the input device 1A have the same shape, but the two rear buttons 17 may have different shapes. Figure 11A is a cross-sectional view along the line XIA-XIA in Figure 7A. Figures 11B, 11C, and 11D show the movement of removing the rear button 17 in the cross-sectional view of Figure 11A.

[0067] As shown in Figure 7A, two rear buttons 17 can be attached to the reinforcing frame 70. More specifically, two support members 210 are attached to the reinforcing frame 70, each supporting one of the two rear buttons 17, and the rear buttons 17 can be attached to the support members 210. The support members 210 and the rear buttons 17 can move integrally around a shaft portion 212 (see Figure 7B) formed on the support member 210. Below the two support members 210 (in the Z2 direction in Figure 7A), two retaining members 220 are positioned. The retaining members 220 prevent the shaft portion 212 of the support member 210 from coming loose. The retaining members 220 are each attached to the reinforcing frame 70. The retaining members 220 are fixed to the reinforcing frame 70, for example, by screws.

[0068] The support member 210 and the retaining member 220 may be made of metal. This ensures the rigidity of the support member 210 and the retaining member 220. The material of the support member 210 and the retaining member 220 is not limited to metal. The support member 210 and the retaining member 220 may be made of resin or the like. Furthermore, the support member 210 and the retaining member 220 may be made of different materials.

[0069] As shown in Figure 7A, a leaf spring 230, which is an elastic member, is attached to the reinforcing frame 70. The leaf spring 230 biases the support member 210 to its initial position (the position shown in Figure 11A). The leaf spring 230 is, for example, a metal plate extending in the left-right direction and is attached to the center of the reinforcing frame 70 by a screw 231. Both ends of the leaf spring 230 are hooked onto the tips of the two support members 210 (the ends of the extended portion 213 described later, see Figure 7B), respectively, biasing the tip of each support member 210 upward (in the Z1 direction). By biasing two support members 210 with one leaf spring 230 in this way, the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case where two elastic members are provided to bias the two support members 210. Note that the elastic member that biases the support member 210 to its initial position does not necessarily have to be a leaf spring 230. Two coil springs may be provided on each of the two support members 210, or two leaf springs may be provided on each of the two support members 210.

[0070] As shown in Figure 7B, the support member 210 attached to the reinforcing frame 70 has a base portion 211 with a hole H17 formed therein, and two shaft portions 212 projecting from the base portion 211 in opposite directions. The shaft portions 212 are cylindrical in shape and fit inside grooves formed in the reinforcing frame 70. The support member 210 can move about the axis Ax1 of the two shaft portions 212. As shown in Figure 7B, the axis Ax1 extends diagonally with respect to both the left-right and front-back directions, so that as it goes backward (in the Y2 direction), it approaches the left-right center of the input device 1A. The left rear button 17 attached to the support member 210 can be pushed down toward the left grip 10BL held by the user, and the right rear button 17 can be pushed down toward the right grip 10BR.

[0071] Note that the shaft portion 212 of the support member 210 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 7B, but may also be recesses or holes formed on two opposing sides. In this case, the reinforcing frame 70 may have protrusions that fit inside the recesses or holes of the shaft portion 212. Also, the shaft portion 212 may be a single shaft as long as it does not interfere with the hole H17.

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7B, the support member 210 has a first extension portion 213 that extends from the base portion 211 in a direction perpendicular to the axis Ax1 of the shaft portion 212 and is pushed upward (in the Z1 direction) by the leaf spring 230. The support member 210 has a second extension portion 214 that extends from the base portion 211 in the opposite direction to the direction in which the first extension portion 213 extends (in the direction shown by the straight line Ax2 in Figure 7B). The second extension portion 214 is provided on the opposite side of the first extension portion 213, with the shaft portion 212 in between. As shown in Figure 7A, the retaining member 220 restricts the shaft portion 212 from coming out of the groove formed in the reinforcing frame 70. The retaining member 220 is roughly U-shaped and covers the two shaft portions 212 as well as the second extension portion 214.

[0073] As shown in Figure 7B, the input device 1A has a sensor (switch) 240 that outputs a signal corresponding to the movement of the support member 210. The sensor board 240a on which the sensor 240 is mounted may be attached to, for example, the reinforcing frame 70. The sensor 240 is located away from axis Ax1 in a direction perpendicular to axis Ax1 (the direction shown by the straight line Ax2 in Figure 7B). The sensor 240 is positioned between the reinforcing frame 70 and the second extension portion 214 of the support member 210. The upper case 40 and lower case 80, which are housings that contain the internal structure of the input device 1A, house the support member 210, the retaining member 220, the leaf spring 230, and the sensor 240 together with the reinforcing frame 70.

[0074] The rear button 17 extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis Ax1 and intersecting the line Ax2. Specifically, as shown in Figures 2, 7A, and 7B, the rear button 17 extends downward (in the Z2 direction) from its position relative to the axis Ax1. The rear button 17 protrudes from the lower case 80 and the lower cover 90. The rear button 17 is attached to the support member 210 so as to move together with the support member 210. More specifically, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the rear button 17 is attached inside a hole H17 formed in the base 211 of the support member 210. The rear button 17 has an insertion portion 172 that is inserted into the hole H17. The insertion portion 172 has a surface (inclined surface 17g, described later) that is in contact with the inside of the hole H17 in the operating direction of the rear button 17 (rotational direction around the axis Ax1). As a result of this contact, the rear button 17 moves together with the support member 210.

[0075] The second extension portion 214 of the support member 210 is located below the sensor 240. When the operated surface 17a of the rear button 17 is pressed by the user, and the support member 210 moves about axis Ax1, the second extension portion 214 of the support member 210 moves slightly upward, pressing the sensor 240. When the sensor 240 is pressed by the second extension portion 214, it outputs a corresponding signal. This makes it possible to detect the user's pressing operation on the rear button 17.

[0076] As shown in Figures 7A, 7B, 10A, and 10B, the rear button 17 has a protruding portion 171 that protrudes downward from the lower case 80 and lower cover 90 when the rear button 17 is attached to the input device 1A. The rear button 17 also has an insertion portion 172 that is inserted into the hole H17 formed in the base portion 211 of the support member 210, and a supported portion 173 that covers the opening of the hole H17 when the insertion portion 172 is inserted into the hole H17. The protruding portion 171 has an operable surface 17a that is operated by the user's finger.

[0077] As shown in Figure 10A, the protrusion 171, supported portion 173, and insertion portion 172 formed on the rear button 17 are arranged in this order in the vertical direction. In the direction of axis Ax1 (left-right direction in Figure 10A), the width W173 of the supported portion 173 is greater than the width W172 of the insertion portion 172. When the insertion portion 172 is inserted into the hole H17, the supported portion 173 may touch the lower surface 211b (see Figure 7B) of the base portion 211 of the support member 210. Also, in the direction of axis Ax1, the width W171 of the protrusion 171 is greater than the width W173 of the supported portion 173. In the example shown in Figure 10A, the width W171 of the protrusion 171 is greater than twice the width W173 of the supported portion 173 (more specifically, three times the width W173). This allows the operating surface 17a of the protruding portion 171 to be widened, making it easier for the user to operate on the operating surface 17a.

[0078] In Figure 10A, the protruding portion 171 (operated surface 17a) of the rear button 17 is formed in a substantially semicircular shape. Also, as shown in Figure 10B, the operated surface 17a of the rear button 17 has a shape in which the lower end of the center in the direction of axis Ax1 is bulging. The insertion portion 172 of the rear button 17 extends upward (in the Z1 direction) (away from the supported portion 173) from the supported portion 173, and then has a curved portion 17b that extends toward the first extended portion 213 of the support member 210 (see Figure 11A). A recess 17c is formed by the curved portion 17b and the supported portion 173. In addition, a convex portion 172a (first convex portion) is formed at the tip (end in the Z1 direction) of the insertion portion 172, which protrudes upward. The protrusion 172a has a magnetic force receiving surface 17d that faces the direction of the magnet 250 (described later) when the rear button 17 is attached to the support member 210, and a stopper surface 17e that faces in the opposite direction to the magnetic force receiving surface 17d. The stopper surface 17e faces the direction in which the sensor 240 is located. The insertion part 172 also has a protrusion 17f (first protrusion) that protrudes from the curved part 17b toward the sensor 240.

[0079] As shown in Figure 7B, a recess (groove) 210a is formed on the inner surface of the hole H17 formed in the base 211 of the support member 210, and is recessed in a narrow direction toward the sensor 240. The protrusion 17f formed on the rear button 17 fits into this recess 210a. This restricts the direction in which the rear button 17 faces relative to the hole H17 to only one direction. In other words, it is possible to suppress the movement (rattling) of the rear button 17 in the direction along the axis Ax1.

[0080] As shown in Figure 11A, the support member 210 has a magnet 250. The rear button 17 is made of a magnetic material such as iron. The rear button 17 is attached to the support member 210 by the magnetic force of the magnet 250. That is, the insertion portion 172 of the rear button 17 is held inside the hole H17 by the magnetic force of the magnet 250. At this time, the magnetic force receiving surface 17d is pulled by the magnet 250, and the inner surface of the recess 210a of the support member 210 supports the protrusion 17f of the rear button 17. Note that the example is not limited to the one shown in the figure; for example, the rear button 17 may have a magnet and be attached to the support member 210 by its magnetic force. In this case, the support member 21 may be made of a magnetic material. Also, a part of the rear button 17 may be made of a magnetic material (or magnet). In this case, it is sufficient that the insertion portion 172 of the rear button 17 or the protrusion 172a at its tip is made of a magnetic material (or magnet).

[0081] As shown in Figures 7B and 11A, the magnet 250 is held by the first extension portion 213 of the support member 210 and is located between the first extension portion 213 and the reinforcing frame 70. The magnet 250 is positioned on the opposite side of the sensor 240, with respect to the axis Ax1 defined by the shaft portion 212 of the support member 210. In other words, the magnet 250 is positioned on the opposite side of the sensor 240 with respect to the base portion 211 of the support member 210 (where the rear button 17 is attached).

[0082] The rear button 17 can move around its shaft portion 212 between an initial position shown by the solid line in Figure 11A and a first tilted position shown by the dashed line in Figure 11A. The rear button 17 can move together with the support member 210 between the initial position and the first tilted position. The first tilted position is defined by a first rotational direction R1 (see Figure 11A) around the axis Ax1 (see Figure 7B) defined by the shaft portion 212 of the support member 210, relative to the initial position. When the rear button 17 is in the first tilted position, the rear button 17 presses the sensor 240 via the second extension portion 214 of the support member 210.

[0083] The support member 210 is biased toward its initial position by a leaf spring 230 (see Figure 7B). The leaf spring 230 is positioned opposite the sensor 240, with the axis Ax1 of the support member 210 in between. This arrangement makes it easy to avoid interference between the leaf spring 230 and the sensor 240, and ensures sufficient size for the leaf spring 230.

[0084] As shown in Figure 11A, a protrusion 210b is formed on the edge of the opening of the hole H17 formed in the support member 210. The protrusion 210b fits into a recess 17c formed in the insertion portion 172 of the rear button 17. The magnetic force receiving surface 17d of the insertion portion 172 is located above the protrusion 210b (in the Z1 direction). Therefore, when the magnetic force receiving surface 17d is attracted to the magnet 250, a moment acts on the rear button 17 in its initial position toward the first tilted position, and the protrusion 17f of the rear button 17 comes into contact with the inner surface (inclined surface 210c) of the recess 210a formed on the inner surface of the hole H17 of the support member 210.

[0085] As shown in Figure 10B, an inclined surface 17g is formed on the protrusion 17f of the rear button 17. Also, as shown in Figures 7B and 11A, an inclined surface 210c is formed on the recess 210a of the hole H17 formed in the support member 210. When the user moves the rear button 17 from its initial position in the first rotation direction R1 (the operating direction of the rear button 17) to the first tilted position, the inclined surface 17g of the rear button 17 presses against the inclined surface 210c of the support member 210. As a result, the rear button 17 moves together with the support member 210 from the initial position to the first tilted position. As described above, even when the rear button 17 is in its initial position, the inclined surface 17g of the rear button 17 is in contact with the inclined surface 210c of the support member 210. This prevents the rear button 17 from rattling relative to the support member 210 when the user operates the rear button 17.

[0086] The rear button 17 can move to the second tilted position shown in Figure 11B. The second tilted position is defined by a second rotation direction R2, which is opposite to the first rotation direction R1 relative to the initial position in Figure 11A. As described above, the protrusion 210b formed on the support member 210 (see Figure 11A) fits into the recess 17c formed on the rear button 17. As shown in Figure 11B, the rear button 17 can move from the initial position towards the second tilted position, centered on the tip of the protrusion 210b. When the rear button 17 moves from the initial position towards the second tilted position, the movement of the support member 210 is restricted by the retaining member 220. When the rear button 17 is in the second tilted position, it is permitted to move downward (in the Z2 direction, the direction of protrusion of the protrusion 171), as shown in Figures 11C and 11D. That is, the rear button 17 is permitted to move in a direction perpendicular to the axis Ax1. As a result, the rear button 17 can be removed from the support member 210 by user operation from outside the housing, which consists of the upper case 40 and the lower case 80. When removing the rear button 17, the user must perform a two-step operation: move the rear button 17 in the second rotational direction R2 and then pull it out in the vertical direction. This prevents the rear button 17 from coming off the support member 210 unintentionally.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11B, when the rear button 17 is in the second tilted position, the stopper surface 17e of the insertion portion 172 collides with the support member 210. This restricts further movement in the second rotational direction R2. This makes it possible for the user to remove the rear button 17 with a simple operation if they intend to remove it.

[0088] As shown in Figure 11C, the width W21 of the passage defined by the tip of the protrusion 210b and the lower end of the inclined surface 210c that supports the insertion portion 172 is greater than the width W17 of the protrusion 172a of the rear button 17. Therefore, when the orientation of the rear button 17 (the orientation of the protrusion 172a) coincides with the opening direction of the passage defined by the tip of the protrusion 210b and the lower end of the inclined surface 210c, the rear button 17 can be removed from the support member 210 in the same opening direction. On the protrusion 210b of the support member 210 that fits into the recess 17c of the rear button 17, the corner portion 210d (see Figure 11C) that contacts the curved portion 17b of the rear button 17 is chamfered. In this way, after the user moves the rear button 17 in the second rotational direction R2 to position it in the second tilted position, the rear button 17 can be smoothly aligned with the opening direction of the passage defined by the tip of the protrusion 210b and the lower end of the inclined surface 210c, as shown in Figure 11C.

[0089] [Stick unit mounting structure] A support structure for the control stick 400 (a support mechanism 330 for the control stick 400 and a base member 310 which is a support member for the control stick 400, as shown in Figure 15) is detachably attached to the reinforcing frame 70. The support structure for the control stick 400 is attached to the upper surface of the reinforcing frame 70. As previously mentioned, the rear button 17 is detachably attached to the lower surface of the reinforcing frame 70. As shown in Figure 4, two stages 73 are provided on the upper surface of the reinforcing frame 70. Two stick units 30, including the support structure for the control stick 400, are detachably attached to the two stages 73. With the upper cover 20 and the two stick units 30 removed from the input device 1A, the two stages 73 are exposed from the housing recess U10.

[0090] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the circuit board 60, the reinforcing frame 70, and the stick unit 30. Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of the stick unit 30. Figure 14 is a rear view showing the rear side of the reinforcing frame 70 with the stick unit 30 attached. Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of the stick unit 30. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI in Figure 14.

[0091] As shown in Figure 12, a circuit board 60 is attached to the reinforcing frame 70. The circuit board 60 is positioned along the front-to-back and left-to-right directions on the main body 10 of the input device 1A. The stick unit 30 is detachable from the housing recess U10 shown in Figure 4 in the front-to-back direction. The circuit board 60 has a connector 63 (see Figure 16) that opens to the rear, and the stick unit 30 has a connector 31 (see Figure 16) that opens to the front. The connector 63 of the circuit board 60 and the connector 31 of the stick unit 30 are mated in the front-to-back direction. This electrically connects the stick unit 30 to the main body 10 of the input device 1A. The stick unit 30 can also be pulled out from the circuit board 60 in the rear.

[0092] The main body 10 and stick unit 30 of the input device 1A have guides that extend in the front-to-back direction and restrict the movement of the stick unit 30 in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figure 12, for example, a guide projection 74 is formed on the stage 73 of the reinforcing frame 70, projecting upward from the upper surface of the reinforcing frame 70. The guide projection 74 has a rectangular front end 74a that protrudes from the stage 73 and an extended portion 74b that extends rearward from the front end 74a. The extended portion 74b is formed to be narrower in the left-to-right direction than the front end 74a.

[0093] As shown in Figure 13, a guide recess 32 is formed on the lower surface 310a of the stick unit 30 (the lower surface of the base member 310, which will be described later), opening downwards and forwards. When the stick unit 30 is fitted into the housing recess U10, the guide projection 74 of the reinforcing frame 70 fits into the guide recess 32 of the stick unit 30. In other words, the guide projection 74 and the guide recess 32 form a guide that restricts the movement of the stick unit 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0094] As shown in Figure 13, the guide recess 32 has a first portion 32a extending rearward from the front end of the lower surface 310a of the base member 310, a second portion 32b extending further rearward from the first portion 32a and having a gradually decreasing width in the left-right direction, and a third portion 32c extending further rearward from the second portion 32b. When the guide projection 74 of the reinforcing frame 70 is inserted into the opening at the front end of the guide recess 32, the front end portion 74a of the guide projection 74, which has a greater left-right width than the extended portion 74b of the guide projection 74, passes through the first portion 32a of the guide recess 32 and catches on the inner wall of the second portion 32b, which has a gradually decreasing width in the left-right direction. This prevents the stick unit 30 attached to the housing recess U10 from rattling in the left-right direction.

[0095] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, the guide recess 32 has a rear end portion 32d located behind the third portion 32c. A projection is formed at the boundary between the side surface of the third portion 32c and the side surface of the rear end portion 32d, projecting inward from the guide recess 32. The left and right projections formed at the boundary between the third portion 32c and the rear end portion 32d sandwich the extended portion 74b of the guide projection 74. This suppresses rattling of the stick unit 30 in the lateral direction within the housing recess U10.

[0096] As shown in Figures 12 and 14, guide walls 75L and 75R extending upward are formed on the left and right sides of the stage 73 in the reinforcing frame 70. The stick unit 30 is positioned between the left guide wall 75L and the right guide wall 75R. The left side of the stick unit 30 may contact the left guide wall 75L. Also, the right side of the stick unit 30 may contact the right guide wall 75R. This suppresses the stick unit 30 from rattling in the lateral direction.

[0097] As shown in Figure 12, the main body 10 of the input device 1A has a stopper member 77. The stopper member 77 is attached to the reinforcing frame 70 that constitutes the main body 10 via a spring 78, which is an elastic member. The stopper member 77 can move between a locked position (first position) that restricts the movement of the stick unit 30 in the front-rear direction and an unlocked position (second position) that allows the movement of the stick unit 30 in the front-rear direction. The stopper member 77 can move in a rotational direction R3 (see Figure 14) about an axis Ax2 defined by the shaft portion to which the spring 78 is attached. As shown in Figure 14, when the stopper member 77 is biased by the spring 78 and is in the initial locked position, the stopper member 77 interferes with the stick unit 30 in the front-rear direction, restricting the movement of the stick unit 30 backward. The user can pull the stick unit 30 backward by moving the stopper member 77 to the unlocked position on the rotational direction R3 against the elastic force of the spring 78.

[0098] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the base member 310 constituting the lower surface 310a of the stick unit 30 has a projection (guided portion) 310b projecting to the left on the lower left edge of the base member 310, and a projection (guided portion) 310b projecting to the right on the lower right edge of the base member 310. In addition, a groove (guide portion) 76L recessed to the left is formed between the left guide wall 75L and the stage 73. A groove (guide portion) 76R recessed to the right is also formed between the right guide wall 75R and the stage 73.

[0099] As shown in Figure 14, with the stick unit 30 attached to the reinforcing frame 70, the left and right protrusions 310b of the base member 310 are recessed into the insides of the recesses 76L and 76R, respectively. Here, the protrusions 310b of the base member 310 are sandwiched vertically by the inner surfaces of the recesses 76L and 76R. This suppresses rattling of the stick unit 30 in the vertical direction.

[0100] [Internal structure of the stick unit] As shown in Figure 15, the stick unit 30 includes a base member 310 and a connector 31, a circuit board 320, a support mechanism 330, a sensor component 340, a function button 350, a support member 360, a cover member 380, and an operating stick 400. The support mechanism 330 is a support mechanism that supports the operating stick 400 and has a support projection 331 that protrudes upward. The support projection 331 can be tilted with respect to a center line along the vertical direction and is supported so as to be able to rotate about the center line by the support mechanism 330. The sensor component 340 has a contact 341 that detects the movement of the function button 350.

[0101] As shown in Figure 16, the operating stick 400 (more specifically, the column portion 422 of the base member 420, which will be described later) has a recess 424 that opens downward. The support projection 331 of the support mechanism 330 is inserted into this recess 424. In this way, the operating stick 400 is supported by the support projection 331. The upper surface of the support projection 331 may be in contact with the lower surface 424a formed on the inside of the recess 424.

[0102] As shown in Figure 16, the circuit board 320 is positioned above the base member 310, which is a support member, and is supported by the base member 310. The circuit board 320 has circuits formed on it for detecting the movement of the operation stick 400 and the function button 350. The connector 31, which is electrically connected to the main body 10 of the input device 1A, is mounted on the circuit board 320. The support mechanism 330 and the sensor component 340 are also mounted on the circuit board 320. The connector 31 is positioned at the front end of the circuit board 320, the support mechanism 330 is positioned behind the connector 31, and the sensor component 340 is positioned behind the support mechanism 330. The connector 31, support mechanism 330, and sensor component 340 are arranged in this order in the front-to-back direction. By placing the connector 31, support mechanism 330, and sensor component 340 on the same circuit board 320, a separate circuit board for the connector and sensor is not required, and the number of components in the stick unit 30 can be reduced.

[0103] As shown in Figure 16, the circuit board 320 of the stick unit 30 is positioned behind the circuit board 60 which is built into the main body 10 of the input device 1A. The circuit board 320 is positioned along the front-to-back direction, similar to the circuit board 60. The circuit board 320 is positioned in the same position as the circuit board 60 in the vertical direction. That is, the circuit board 320 and the circuit board 60 are located on substantially the same plane. As described above, the guide protrusions 74 and recesses 76L, 76R of the reinforcing frame 70 (see Figure 14) extend in the direction along the circuit board 320. The stick unit 30 can be fitted to the main body 10 in the direction along the circuit board 320.

[0104] The central part 10M of the input device 1A houses the circuit board 60 built into the main unit 10 and the circuit board 320 built into the stick unit 30. The sensor component 340 that detects the movement of the function button 350 is mounted on the circuit board 320. As a result, as shown in Figure 1, the function button 350 is positioned behind the control stick 400 and protrudes backward from the central part 10M.

[0105] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the cover member 380 is placed on the base member 310 and covers at least a portion of the base member 310, the support mechanism 330, and the sensor component 340. The cover member 380 and the base member 310 constitute a case that houses the connector 31, the circuit board 320, the support mechanism 330, and the sensor component 340.

[0106] As shown in Figure 15, the cover member 380 has a dome-shaped upper wall portion 381 that surrounds the support mechanism 330, and a lower wall portion 382 that extends downward from the upper wall portion 381 and forms the lower end of the cover member 380. A circular hole H40 is formed in the center of the upper wall portion 381. The operating stick 400 protrudes upward through the hole H40. As shown in Figure 16, the operating stick 400 has a disc-shaped top portion 411 and a dome-shaped cover portion 421, as will be described later. In a plan view, the size (diameter) of the hole H40 is narrower than the size (diameter) of the cover portion 421 of the operating stick 400. Furthermore, the outer circumference of the cover portion 421 overlaps with the edge of the hole H40 in a plan view. Therefore, when the stick unit 30 is removed from the main body 10, it is possible to prevent the inside of the cover member 380 (the inside of the stick unit 30) from being exposed to the outside. In particular, in the example shown in the figure, the size of the cover portion 421 is set so that even when the operating stick 400 is tilted until it touches the edge of the hole H40, the outer circumference of the cover portion 421 and the edge of the hole H40 overlap.

[0107] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15, an overhang 383 is formed in front of the lower wall portion 382 of the cover member 380, extending forward from the upper wall portion 381. The overhang 383 covers the top surface and the left and right sides of the connector 31. By covering the connector 31 in this way, damage to the connector 31 due to external impacts can be prevented.

[0108] As shown in Figure 15, a notch U20 opening to the rear is formed in the lower wall portion 382, ​​and the support member 360 is exposed to the rear through this notch U20. The support member 360 has a cylindrical shaft portion 361 extending in the left-right direction and is fixed inside the stick unit 30. As shown in Figure 16, the support member 360 is positioned, for example, above the sensor component 340. A recess 351 is formed on the front surface of the function button 350, and the shaft portion 361 of the support member 360 is supported inside this recess 351. In detail, the ends of the shaft portion 361 are supported by the left and right sides of the recess 351. As a result, the function button 350 is rotatably supported by the shaft portion 361 of the support member 360.

[0109] As shown in Figure 16, the contact 341 of the sensor component 340 is located on the rear surface of the sensor component 340. Additionally, a protrusion 352 is formed on the front surface of the function button 350. The protrusion 352 of the function button 350 is formed below the recess 351 in which the shaft portion 361 of the support member 360 is housed. When the function button 350 is pressed by the user and moves around the shaft portion 361, the protrusion 352 presses against the contact 341. This allows the sensor component 340 to detect the user's press operation on the function button 350.

[0110] In this embodiment, the contact 341 can move in a direction along the circuit board 320 (specifically, in the front-to-back direction). The function button 350 can move in a direction intersecting the circuit board 320 (specifically, in the up-and-down direction). The function button 350 can move in a rotational direction R4 (see Figure 16) around the axis Ax3 defined by the shaft portion 361 of the support member 360. In this way, by changing the direction of movement of the function button 350 from the up-and-down direction to the front-to-back direction using the shaft portion 361 of the support member 360, the movable direction of the contact 341 relative to the circuit board 320 can be made to move in a direction along the circuit board 320. In addition, the pressing direction of the function button 350 becomes the same as the pressing direction (downward) of the operation button 11, etc., making it easier for the user to operate the function button 350.

[0111] [Structure of the control stick] Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view of the control stick 400. Figures 18A and 18B are cross-sectional views of the control stick 400. Figures 18A and 18B show cross-sections obtained from two perpendicularly intersecting cutting planes. In this disclosure, Figure 18A is a cross-sectional view obtained from cutting planes parallel to the Y and Z axes, and Figure 18B is a cross-sectional view obtained from cutting planes parallel to the X and Z axes. The rotational position of the control stick 400 around the Z axis is not limited to the examples shown in Figures 18A and 18B. For example, Figure 18B may be a cross-sectional view obtained from cutting planes parallel to the Y and Z axes, and Figure 18A may be a cross-sectional view obtained from cutting planes parallel to the X and Z axes.

[0112] As shown in Figure 17, the operating stick 400 has a top member 410 having an upper surface 410a that the user's fingers touch, and a base member 420 to which the top member 410 is attached. The top member 410 has a disc-shaped top portion 411 including the upper surface 410a, and a cylindrical portion 412 extending downward from the top portion 411. The cylindrical portion 412 of the top member 410 also has a plurality of extensions 413 that extend vertically and form the lower end of the cylindrical portion 412.

[0113] The top member 410 and the base member 420 may be formed from, for example, resin. The top portion 411 and the cylindrical portion 412 may be formed integrally, or they may be formed as separate members. Furthermore, if the top portion 411 and the cylindrical portion 412 are formed as separate members, the material of the top portion 411 may be different from the material of the cylindrical portion 412. For example, the top portion 411 may be formed from an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. As another example, the top member 410 may be formed by two-color molding. In this case, the upper surface 410a of the top portion 411 may be formed from an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer.

[0114] The base member 420 has a dome-shaped cover portion 421 and a column portion 422 extending in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 18A, a recess 424 is formed on the lower surface of the column portion 422. The operating stick 400, including the column portion 422, is supported by the support protrusion 331, which extends upward from the support mechanism 330, when the support protrusion 331 is inserted into this recess 424 (see Figure 16). The cover portion 421 spreads radially from the lower end of the column portion 422. The column portion 422 is positioned in the center of the cover portion 421. With the base member 420 supported by the support protrusion 331 of the support mechanism 330, the cover portion 421 covers the upper side of the support mechanism 330.

[0115] As shown in Figures 18A and 18B, the column portion 422 of the base member 420 can be fitted inside the cylindrical portion 412 of the top member 410. Also, as shown in Figures 17 and 18A, a plurality of holes H42 surrounding the base of the column portion 422 are formed on the upper surface of the cover portion 421. A plurality of extension portions 413 formed on the top member 410 can be fitted into these plurality of holes H42, respectively.

[0116] As shown in Figures 17 and 18A, an elastic member 430 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the column portion 422 of the base member 420. The elastic member 430 is located inside the cylindrical portion 412 of the top member 410 and catches on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 412. This restricts the upward movement of the top member 410. In other words, the elastic member 430 prevents the top member 410 from coming off the base member 420. The elastic member 430 is, for example, C-shaped or arc-shaped and made of metal, and is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical column portion 422. However, it is not limited to these, and the elastic member 430 may have the shape of a rectangular frame. The column portion 422 may also be a rectangular prism.

[0117] As shown in Figure 17, the elastic member 430 is elastically deformable so that its two ends 431a and 431b are close to each other. Also, as shown in Figure 18A, the elastic member 430 has a sloped surface 432 that is angled downwards. The cylindrical portion 412 of the top member 410 has an engaging projection 412a on its inner surface that engages with the sloped surface 432 of the elastic member 430. The engaging projection 412a protrudes from the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 412 and has an upper surface 412c that is angled upwards relative to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 412 and a lower surface 412b that is angled downwards relative to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 412. When the column portion 422 of the base member 420 is fitted inside the cylindrical portion 412, the lower surface 412b of the engaging projection 412a goes over the elastic member 430 and the upper surface 412c of the engaging projection 412a catches on the sloped surface 432 of the elastic member 430.

[0118] In this way, by restricting the upward movement of the top member 410 with the elastic member 430 attached to the column portion 422 of the base member 420, it is possible to prevent the top member 410 from coming off the base member 420. Furthermore, when the user pulls the top member 410 attached to the base member 420 upward, the elastic member 430 is pressed against the engaging projection 412a formed on the inside of the cylindrical portion 412 and bends. As a result, the user can pull the top member 410 out of the base member 420 and replace the top member 410 with another operated member (for example, one with a different height from the lower end to the top portion 411).

[0119] As shown in Figure 17, a groove 423 is formed on the outer surface of the column portion 422 of the base member 420, to which the elastic member 430 is attached. The elastic member 430 is attached to the base member 420 by catching on the inside of this groove 423. The elastic member 430 also has a convex portion 433 that protrudes upward. A recess 423a is formed in the groove 423, and as shown in Figure 18B, the convex portion 433 fits inside this recess 423a. The convex portion 433 contacting the inner surface of the recess 423a restricts the rotation of the elastic member 430 around the axis of the column portion 422 in the vertical direction. The groove 423 also extends to the two ends 431a and 431b of the elastic member 430. No groove 423 is formed between the two ends 431a and 431b. The rotation of the elastic member 430 around the column 422 can also be restricted by the ends 431a and 431b contacting the inner surface of the groove 423 (the end face in the circumferential direction centered on the axis of the column 422).

[0120] As shown in Figure 18A, the diameter D1 of the column portion 422 in the Y-axis direction at the location where the groove portion 423 is formed is smaller than the diameter D2 of the circle defined by the inner circumferential surface of the C-shaped or arc-shaped elastic member 430. Therefore, a gap is formed between the elastic member 430 and the column portion 422 in a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. This gap allows the elastic member 430 to be pressed by the engaging projection 412a and undergo elastic deformation.

[0121] Furthermore, in the X-axis direction shown in Figure 18B, the thickness D3 of the column portion 422 at the location where the groove portion 423 is formed is greater than the thickness D1 of the column portion 422 in the Y-axis direction shown in Figure 18A and the diameter D2 of the circle defined in the elastic member 430. Therefore, at the location where the protrusion 433 (Figure 17) of the elastic member 430 is formed, no gap is formed between the elastic member 430 and the column portion 422. This prevents the protrusion 433 of the elastic member 430 from catching on the recess 423a of the groove portion 423 formed in the column portion 422, and prevents the elastic member 430 from coming off the column portion 422 or from rotating relative to the column portion 422.

[0122] As shown in Figure 18A, the base member 420 has a contact surface 421b (first surface) that contacts the top member 410 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the operating stick 400 along the vertical direction, at a position lower than where the elastic member 430 is attached. This contact restricts the misalignment between the top member 410 and the base member 420 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the operating stick 400. In the example shown in the figure, as described above, the top member 410 has a plurality of extension portions 413 that protrude downward from the cylindrical portion 412 and surround the column portion 422. On the other hand, the base member 420 has a plurality of holes H42 that surround the base of the column portion 422. The plurality of extension portions 413 are inserted into the inside of the plurality of holes H42. The outer surface of the extension portion 413 (the surface facing outward in the radial direction of the operating stick 400) is in contact with the inner surface of the hole H42 (the surface facing inward in the radial direction of the operating stick 400). In other words, the inner surface of the hole H42 functions as the contact surface 421b. This restricts the misalignment between the top member 410 and the base member 420 in the Y-axis and X-axis directions. In the circumferential direction of the operating stick 400, the extended portion 413 also contacts the inner surface of the hole H42. This restricts the misalignment between the top member 410 and the base member 420 in the circumferential direction of the operating stick 400.

[0123] Unlike the example shown in the figure, the inner surface of the extension portion 413 (the surface facing inward in the radial direction of the operating stick 400) may be in contact with the inner surface 422b of the hole H42 (the surface facing outward in the radial direction of the operating stick 400). This contact can also restrict the misalignment between the top member 410 and the base member 420 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the operating stick 400.

[0124] Furthermore, the column portion 422 of the base member 420 has a contact surface (second surface) 422c that contacts the top member 410 at a position higher than the position where the elastic member 430 is attached. The contact surface 422c restricts the misalignment between the top member 410 and the base member 420 in a direction perpendicular to the column portion 422. As shown in Figure 17, the column portion 422 has a first fitting portion 425, which is a recess, at its upper end. Also, as shown in Figure 18A, the top member 410 has a second fitting portion 415, which is a convex portion, on its lower surface. The first fitting portion 425 and the second fitting portion 415 fit together in the vertical direction. The outer circumferential surface of the second fitting portion 415 is in contact with the inner surface of the first fitting portion 425. That is, the inner surface of the first fitting portion 425 functions as the aforementioned contact surface 422c. In this way, the misalignment between the top member 410 and the base member 420 in the Y-axis and X-axis directions, which are perpendicular to the vertical direction in which the column portion 422 extends, can be restricted.

[0125] Contrary to the example shown in the figure, the first fitting portion 425 may be a convex portion. In this case, the second fitting portion 415 may be a concave portion into which the convex first fitting portion 425 fits. This also allows for the regulation of misalignment between the top member 410 and the base member 420 in the Y-axis and X-axis directions.

[0126] [Internal structure of the trigger unit] Figures 19A and 19B are perspective views of the trigger unit 130 attached to the main frame 50. Figure 19A is a view of the left side of the trigger unit 13 viewed from diagonally below. Figure 19B is a view of the left side of the trigger unit 130 viewed from diagonally above. Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view of the trigger unit 130. Figures 21A to 21D show some of the components that make up the trigger unit 130, and show the positions of the trigger button 16, stopper member 620, and operating member 630. Figures 21A to 21C show the underside of the trigger button 16, stopper member 620, and operating member 630, and Figure 21D shows the left side of the trigger button 16, stopper member 620, and operating member 630 in the state shown in Figure 21C (view of the trigger button 16 etc. in the direction of arrow XXId in Figure 21C). Figures 19A and 19B show the trigger unit 130L mounted on the left side of the main frame 50, but the trigger unit 130R mounted on the right side of the main frame 50 has the same configuration as the trigger unit 130L on the left side.

[0127] As shown in Figure 19A, the trigger unit 130 has an operating button 15, a trigger button 16, and a rear switch 19. As shown in Figure 20, the trigger unit 130 has a core unit 500 to which the operating button 15 and the trigger button 16 are mounted, and a stopper unit 600 attached to the core unit 500 to limit the range of motion of the trigger button 16. The core unit 500 has a circuit board 510 and a motor 520. The circuit board 510 is mounted on the side of the core unit 500. The motor 520 is mounted on the rear end of the core unit 500, and the rotation axis of the motor 520 is located inside the core unit 500.

[0128] The trigger button 16 has a support portion H16 (see Figure 21D) at its base. The support portion H16 is a hole, and a rod-shaped shaft member 501 (see Figure 20) is fitted inside this hole H16. The trigger button 16 can move in a rotational direction R5 (see Figure 21D) about an axis Ax5 along the left-right direction defined by the shaft member 501.

[0129] The stopper unit 600 includes a guide frame 610 and a stopper member 620 and an operating member 630 attached to the guide frame 610. As shown in Figures 19A and 19B, the guide frame 610 is fixed to the core unit 500 by screws 641 and 642.

[0130] The stopper member 620 is housed inside the upper case 40 and lower case 80, which are the exterior components of the input device 1A. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the rear switch 19, which is part of the operating member 630, is exposed to the outside (lower side) of the lower case 80 through the hole H20 (see Figure 3). The rear switch 19 is integrally formed with the operating member 630 and protrudes downward from the operating member 630.

[0131] As shown in Figure 20, the lower surface 16d of the trigger button 16 is curved to surround the center line Ax16 of the trigger button 16 along the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figure 3, the lower case 80 has an opening 80a to expose the trigger button 16 to the front. The edge of the opening 80a is curved along the lower surface 16d of the trigger button 16. On the lower surface 82 of the lower case 80, the portion 82a located around the edge of the opening 80a is also curved to match the lower surface 16d of the trigger button 16 (hereinafter, this portion 82a will be referred to as the curved portion). The stopper member 620 moves inside the curved portion 82a of the lower surface 82, along the curved portion 82a. That is, the stopper member 620 moves inside the curved portion 82a, along the curve. As shown in Figure 20, the guide frame 610 has a guide projection 611. The guide projection 611 is curved along the curved portion 82a. The stopper member 620 has a guided portion 621. The guided portion 621 has a recess (groove) into which the guide projection 611 fits. The guided portion 621 is curved along the curved portion 82a, similar to the guide projection 611. The stopper member 620 can move along the guide projection 611.

[0132] Figure 21A shows the stopper member 620 in its initial position (first position), Figure 21C shows the stopper member 620 in its final position (second position), and Figure 21B shows the stopper member 620 in an intermediate position (third position) between the initial and final positions. The stopper member 620 is movable between the initial position shown in Figure 21A and the final position shown in Figure 21C. In the example shown in the figure, the stopper unit 600 is positioned to the left of the trigger button 16. As shown in Figures 21A to 21C, the rear edge (lower edge) of the trigger button 16 has a rear edge 16b that protrudes further rearward than the left rear edge 16a (the rear edge on the stopper unit 600 side). The stopper member 620 has a top portion 622 at the tip of the guided portion 621, which is a stopper portion that protrudes toward the trigger button 16. The top portion 622 of the stopper member 620 contacts the rear edges 16a and 16b of the trigger button 16, which are the stopped portions, thereby limiting the range of motion of the trigger button 16.

[0133] In detail, as shown in Figure 21A, when the stopper member 620 is in its initial position, the top portion 622 of the stopper member 620 is located outside the region through which the trailing edges 16a and 16b pass when the trigger button 16 moves about axis Ax5. In the example shown in the figure, the top portion 622 of the stopper member 620 is located to the left of the region through which the trailing edges 16a and 16b pass. Therefore, no interference occurs between the top portion 622 and the trailing edges 16a and 16b when the trigger button 16 moves about axis Ax5. Consequently, the trigger button 16 can move within its maximum range of motion, which is a distance ΔR1 (first range). In other words, the stopper member 620, when in its initial position, allows the trigger button 16 to move within a distance ΔR1.

[0134] As shown in Figure 21C, when the stopper member 620 is in its final position, the top 622 of the stopper member 620 is located in the area through which the trailing edge 16b (the part protruding to the rear) passes when the trigger button 16 moves about axis Ax5. Therefore, when the trigger button 16 moves about axis Ax5, the trailing edge 16b hits the top 622 of the stopper member 620, and the range of motion of the trigger button 16 becomes the minimum range of motion, which is distance ΔR3. In other words, when the stopper member 620 is in its final position, it restricts the range of motion of the trigger button 16 to a range of distance ΔR3, which is smaller than the range of distance ΔR1.

[0135] As shown in Figure 21B, when the stopper member 620 is in the intermediate position, the top 622 of the stopper member 620 is located in the middle of the region through which the trailing edge 16a (the edge located in front of the trailing edge 16b) passes when the trigger button 16 moves about axis Ax5. Therefore, when the trigger button 16 moves about axis Ax5, the trailing edge 16a comes into contact with the top 622 of the stopper member 620, and the range of motion of the trigger button 16 becomes the intermediate range of motion, which is the range of distance ΔR2. In other words, when the stopper member 620 is in the intermediate position, it restricts the range of motion of the trigger button 16 to the range of distance ΔR2, which is the range between the range of distance ΔR1 and the range of distance ΔR3.

[0136] Note that the shape of the stopper member 620 is not limited to the example shown in the figure. For example, the stopper member 620 does not have to have a top portion 622 that protrudes toward the trigger button 16. In this case, the guided portion 621 of the stopper member 620 may come into contact with the edges 16a and 16b of the trigger button 16.

[0137] The operating member 630 engages with the stopper member 620 and moves together with the stopper member 620. As shown in Figures 19B and 21C, the stopper member 620 has a protrusion 623 that extends to the left (X2 direction) from the end of the guided portion 621 (specifically, the front end). The operating member 630 has a hole H63 (see Figure 19B) that opens in the left-right direction. The protrusion 623 of the stopper member 620 fits inside this hole H63, and the movement of the operating member 630 is transmitted to the stopper member 620 via the protrusion 623. Alternatively, the operating member 630 may have a recess such as a notch or groove into which the protrusion 623 of the stopper member 620 fits instead of the hole H63. Alternatively, the stopper member 620 may have a recess, and the operating member 630 may have a protrusion that fits into the recess of the stopper member 620.

[0138] The operating member 630 moves the stopper member 620 between the initial position shown in Figure 21A and the final position shown in Figure 21C. When the rear switch 19 is in the foremost position, the stopper member 620 is positioned in the initial position (see Figure 21A). When the rear switch 19 is in the rearmost position, the stopper member 620 is positioned in the final position (see Figure 21C). When the rear switch 19 is in a position between the foremost and rearmost positions (intermediate position), the stopper member 620 is positioned in the intermediate position (see Figure 21B). When the user operates the rear switch 19, the operating member 630 moves, and the stopper member 620 moves relative to the guide frame 610 between the initial position and the final position. As a result of the movement of the stopper member 620, the range of motion of the trigger button 16 changes within the range of distance ΔR1 to distance ΔR3 described above (see Figures 21A to 21C). Therefore, by operating the rear switch 19, the user can set the range of motion of the trigger button 16 to one of the ranges from distance ΔR1 to distance ΔR3, thereby adjusting the range of motion of the trigger button 16.

[0139] The operating member 630 can move in a different direction from the stopper member 620. Specifically, the operating member 630 can move along a straight line. The operating member 630 can move in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction R5 in which the trigger button 16 moves. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 21A to 21C, the stopper member 620 moves in the left-right direction when viewed from the bottom of the trigger button 16. As described above, in this embodiment, the stopper member 620 can move along the curved portion 82a of the lower case 80 (in other words, along the lower surface 16d of the trigger button 16). In this way, the direction in which the operating member 630 moves and the direction in which the stopper member 620 moves are different, so that the direction in which the operating member 630 (rear switch 19) moves can be set to a direction that is easy for the user to operate.

[0140] In this embodiment, the operating member 630 can move linearly along the lower surface of the guide frame 610 in the forward / backward direction (Y-axis direction in Figure 19A), which is the direction in which the trigger button 16 is pressed. The user can move the rear switch 19 provided on the operating member 630 along the direction in which the trigger button 16 is pressed. This makes it easy to intuitively understand that the rear switch 19 can set the range of motion of the trigger button 16.

[0141] The user can move the rear switch 19, which is exposed through the hole H20, in the front-to-back direction. When the rear switch 19 is moved, the entire operating member 630, including the rear switch 19, moves in the front-to-back direction relative to the guide frame 610. A textured pattern is formed on the lower surface of the rear switch 19. This makes it easier for the user to operate the rear switch 19. Note that the operating member 630 and the rear switch 19 are not limited to the front-to-back direction, but may also be able to move in the left-to-right direction, for example.

[0142] As shown in Figures 19A and 19B, the opening of the hole H63 formed in the operating member 630 extends in the vertical direction. The hole H63 restricts the relative movement of the operating member 630 and the stopper member 620 in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction), but allows their relative movement in the vertical direction. As a result, the operating member 630 can move in a direction different from that of the stopper member 620.

[0143] The operating member 630 has a first plate portion 631 (see Figure 21A) having the lower surface of the operating member 630, and a second plate portion 632 (see Figure 19B) in which a hole H63 is formed. The second plate portion 632 is connected to the first plate portion 631 and extends upward from the first plate portion 631 (in the Z1 direction in Figure 19B). In addition, the guide frame 610 to which the operating member 630 is attached has a guide hole H61 (see Figure 19B) that opens in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The second plate portion 632 of the operating member 630 passes inside this guide hole H61.

[0144] As shown in Figure 21B, the first plate portion 631, which has the lower surface of the operating member 630, has a first recess 631a and a second recess 631b on the side facing the trigger button 16. The guide frame 610 has an engaging member 612 (see Figure 20) attached to the side of the first plate portion 631 that protrudes from it. When the operating member 630 is in the initial position shown in Figure 21A (the foremost position where the stopper member 620 is placed in the initial position), the tip of the engaging member 612 catches on the rear end of the first plate portion 631, restricting the rearward movement of the operating member 630. When the operating member 630 is in the intermediate position shown in Figure 21B (the position where the stopper member 620 is placed in the intermediate position), the tip of the engaging member 612 catches on the first recess 631a. As a result, the engaging member 612 keeps the operating member 630 in the intermediate position. When the operating member 630 is in the final position shown in Figure 21C (the rearmost position where the stopper member 620 is installed in the final position), the engaging member 612 catches on the second recess 631b, which is located in front of the first recess 631a, and restricts the rearward movement of the operating member 630. In this way, the operating member 630 is held in place by engagement with the engaging member 612 at the predetermined initial, intermediate, and final positions shown in Figures 21A to 21C, respectively, and the range of motion of the trigger button 16 is set to one of several stages (three stages in this embodiment).

[0145] As shown in Figure 20, a torsion spring 644 is attached to the guide frame 610. One end of the torsion spring 644 is hooked onto the guide frame 610, and the other end is hooked onto the engaging member 612. As a result, the torsion spring 644 biases the engaging member 612 toward the side of the operating member 630 (the surface where the recesses 631a and 631b are formed). The operating member 630 can move to the three positions described above by resisting the elastic force of the torsion spring 644.

[0146] Figure 22 shows the stopper member 620 and the circuit board 510 (see Figure 20) attached to the core unit 500. As shown in Figure 22, the stopper member 620 has a projection 624 that protrudes from the guided portion 621. The projection 624 protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the projection 623 protrudes. The projection 624 protrudes diagonally upward (Z1 direction) and backward (Y2 direction) from the stopper member 620. An elastic member 650 is attached to the tip of the projection 624. The elastic member 650 is, for example, sheet metal and is fixed to the tip of the projection 624 by a screw 643.

[0147] As shown in Figure 19B, with the stopper member 620 attached to the guide frame 610, the protrusion 624 of the stopper member 620 protrudes diagonally upward (in the Z1 direction) through a hole formed in the guide frame 610. The elastic member 650 attached to the protrusion 624 contacts the guide slope 610a formed in the guide frame 610, thereby pressing the stopper member 620 against the guide frame 610. In this way, when the trigger button 16 collides with the stopper member 620, it is possible to suppress the impact noise generated when the stopper member 620 collides with the guide frame 610.

[0148] As shown in Figure 22, the circuit board 510 attached to the core unit 500 is equipped with a first sensor 511, a second sensor 512, and a processor (not shown). The first sensor 511 is for detecting the position of the stopper member 620 and has a movable projection 511a that protrudes toward the stopper member 620. The stopper member 620 has two wall portions 625a, 625b that protrude toward the first sensor 511, and the movable projection 511a of the first sensor 511 is positioned between the two wall portions 625a, 625b. As the stopper member 620 moves between its initial and final positions, the movable projection 511a of the first sensor 511 is pushed toward one of the two wall portions 625a, 625b and moves about the axis Ax51 of the sensor 511 which is perpendicular to the circuit board 510. The position of this movable protrusion 511a allows the first sensor 511 to detect the position of the stopper member 620.

[0149] The first sensor 511 may be for detecting the position of the operating member 630. In this case, the first sensor 511 may have a movable projection that protrudes in the direction of the operating member 630 and moves when pushed by the operating member 630. In this way, the position of the stopper member 620 can be indirectly detected by the output of the first sensor 511. Alternatively, the first sensor 511 may be a non-contact type sensor such as an optical sensor. The first sensor 511 only needs to be for detecting the position of the stopper member 620 or the operating member 630.

[0150] The core unit 500 may have a sensor (not shown) that detects the amount the trigger button 16 is pressed. A processor mounted on the circuit board 510, or / or a processor mounted on the circuit board 60 attached to the main frame 50, may transmit the ratio of the amount the trigger button 16 is pressed to the range of motion of the trigger button 16 to an information processing device running the game program. The processor may maintain a constant resolution for the position of the trigger button 16, regardless of the position of the stopper member 620. Since the range of motion of the trigger button 16 is determined by the positions of the operating member 630 and the stopper member 620, the range of motion of the trigger button 16 can be detected based on the output from the first sensor 511.

[0151] The second sensor 512 is for detecting the position of the actuator 550 (see Figure 23), which will be described later, and is located behind the first sensor 511. By mounting the first and second sensors 511 and 512 on the same circuit board 510, the number of components in the trigger unit 130 can be reduced compared to when each sensor is mounted on two separate circuit boards.

[0152] Figure 23 shows the internal structure of the core unit 500, with the cover attached to the side of the core unit 500 (the side opposite to the side to which the circuit board 510 is attached) removed. As shown in Figure 23, the rotating shaft of the motor 520 attached to the core unit 500 is inserted into the first gear 530, which is, for example, a worm gear. Inside the core unit 500 are the second gear 540 and the actuator 550. The actuator 550 has a gear portion 551 that constitutes part of a gear and a protrusion 552 that protrudes in the direction of the trigger button 16. The second gear 540 meshes with the first gear 530 and the gear portion 551 of the actuator 550. The actuator 550 is attached to the shaft member 501 and, like the trigger button 16, can move in a rotational direction R5 about the axis Ax5 defined on the shaft member 501.

[0153] In the example shown in Figure 23, the second gear 540 is a two-stage spur gear, with the first gear 530 meshing with the larger diameter gear and the gear portion 551 of the actuator 550 meshing with the smaller diameter gear. However, the internal structure of the core unit 500 is not limited to this. For example, the second gear 540 does not have to be a two-stage spur gear, and the first gear 530 does not have to be a worm gear. Also, the core unit 500 does not have to have the second gear 540, and the gear portion 551 of the actuator 550 may mesh directly with the first gear 530.

[0154] The protrusion 552 formed on the actuator 550 contacts the rear edge 16c of the trigger button 16. The rear edge 16c is the edge opposite the stopper member 620, with the rearward protruding rear edge 16a shown in Figure 21A in between. When the trigger button 16 is pressed by the user, the protrusion 552 contacts the rear edge 16c of the trigger button 16, thereby applying a force to the user's finger in the opposite direction to the direction in which the trigger button 16 was pressed. Here, the processor mounted on the circuit board 510 (or / and the processor mounted on the circuit board 60 attached to the main frame 50) and the motor 520 attached to the trigger unit 130 function as control devices that drive the actuator 550. When applying a force in the opposite direction to the user's finger when the trigger button 16 is pressed, the control device realized by the processor and motor 520, etc., moves the actuator 550 to a position where the protrusion 552 of the actuator 550 contacts the rear edge 16c of the trigger button 16, for example, as shown in Figure 23. Furthermore, if no force is applied in the opposite direction when the trigger button 16 is pressed, the control device moves the actuator 550 to a position where the protrusion 552 of the actuator 550 does not interfere with the trailing edge 16c of the trigger button 16. Whether or not to apply a force in the opposite direction when the trigger button 16 is pressed (i.e., the target position for positioning the protrusion 552 of the actuator 550) may be set according to the environment of the game being played on the information processing device and the game situation.

[0155] The second sensor 512 is for detecting the position of the actuator 550, and in this embodiment, it is an encoder that outputs a signal corresponding to the rotational position of the motor 520. The end of the shaft portion of the second gear 540 is fitted into the second sensor 512. Based on the output of the second sensor 512, the position of the actuator 550, which changes according to the rotational angle of the second gear 540, can be detected. The control device then drives the actuator 550 based on the output from the second sensor 512. For example, if the position of the protrusion 552 indicated by the output from the second sensor 512 is different from the target position, the control device drives the actuator 550 so that the position of the protrusion 552 is set to the target position.

[0156] As shown in Figures 21A to 21C, the range of motion of the trigger button 16 changes depending on the position of the stopper member 620 and the position of the operating member 630. Therefore, the control device, which is implemented by the processor and motor 520, drives the actuator 550 based on the position of the stopper member 620 or the position of the operating member 630. For example, if the stopper member 620 and the operating member 630 are in the initial position shown in Figure 21A and the trigger button 16 can move within a distance ΔR1, the control device drives the actuator 550 to position the protrusion 552 of the actuator 550 within a distance ΔR1. Also, if the stopper member 620 and the operating member 630 are in the intermediate position shown in Figure 21B and the trigger button 16 can move within a distance ΔR2, the control device drives the actuator 550 to position the protrusion 552 within a distance ΔR2. Similarly, if the stopper member 620 and the operating member 630 are in the final position shown in Figure 21C, and the trigger button 16 can move within a distance ΔR3, the actuator 550 is driven to position the protrusion 552 within a distance ΔR3.

[0157] In this embodiment, the position of the stopper member 620 is detected by the first sensor 511, and the control device drives the actuator 550 based on the output from the first sensor 511 indicating the position of the stopper member 620. However, the first sensor 511 may also detect the position of the operating member 630, and the control device may drive the actuator 550 based on the output from the first sensor 511 indicating the position of the operating member 630.

[0158] Furthermore, the timing at which the actuator 550 applies the opposing force to the user's finger may be when the user begins to press the trigger button 16, or it may be while the user is pressing the trigger button 16. For example, if the trigger button 16 can move within a range of distance ΔR1, the actuator 550 can be positioned in the middle of the range of distance ΔR1 to apply an opposing force while the user is pressing the trigger button 16. If the trigger button 16 can move within a range of distance ΔR2, for example, the actuator 550 can be positioned in the middle of the range of distance ΔR2. If the trigger button 16 can move within a range of distance ΔR3, for example, the actuator 550 can be positioned in the middle of the range of distance ΔR3. In this way, even if the range of motion of the trigger button 16 is smaller than the maximum range of distance ΔR1, an opposing force can be applied while the user is pressing the trigger button 16.

[0159] [summary] (1) As described above, the input device 1A has a function button 350 that protrudes rearward from the central part 10M of the input device 1A and is located in the region A enclosed by the rear edge 10Ma of the central part 10M, the right side 10La of the left grip, and the left side 10Ra of the right grip in the plan view shown in Figure 1. This does not interfere with the user's operation of the operation buttons 11, directional keys 12, operation stick 400, etc., and the user can quickly operate the function button 350 as needed.

[0160] (2) As shown in Figure 4 and other figures, the input device 1A has a main body 10 with a receiving recess U10 that opens upward and backward, and a stick unit 30 having an operating stick 400 can be attached to and detached from this receiving recess U10. In this way, the user can replace the stick unit 30 with another stick unit (such as an unused stick unit). In this case, the user can easily remove the stick unit 30 by holding down the top of the stick unit 30 and pulling it backward. This makes it possible for the user to easily replace the part on which the operating stick 400 is provided.

[0161] (3) Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the input device 1A has a reinforcing frame 70 that houses a support member 210 that supports the rear button 17 and a sensor 240. The support member 210 has a shaft portion 212 and can move about an axis Ax1 defined by this shaft portion 212. The rear button 17 is attached to the support member 210 so as to move together with the support member 210 and protrudes from the lower case 80 and lower cover 90, and can be removed from the support member 210 by the user operating on the rear button 17 from the outside of the lower case 80 and lower cover 90. In this way, the user can arbitrarily select whether or not to include the rear button 17 in the input device 1A depending on the type of game being played on the information processing device.

[0162] (4) As shown in Figure 8 and other figures, the internal structure of the input device 1A includes a main frame 50 and a reinforcing frame 70. The reinforcing frame 70 is made of a material with higher rigidity than the main frame 50 and is attached to the main frame 50. The upper case 40, which covers the upper part of the internal structure of the input device 1A, and the lower case 80, which covers the lower part of the internal structure, are attached to the internal structure. By attaching the upper case 40 and the lower case 80 to the internal structure, which includes the reinforcing frame 70 made of a highly rigid material, the rigidity of the upper case 40 and the lower case 80 can be ensured, and the overall rigidity of the input device 1A can be ensured.

[0163] (5) The input device 1A also has a plurality of screws that secure the lower case 80 to at least one of the upper case 40, the main frame 50, and the reinforcing frame 70. As shown in Figures 2 and 9, the input device 1A has a lower cover 90 that is attached to the lower surface 82 of the lower case 80 and covers a plurality of mounting holes formed in the lower case 80. The lower cover 90 constitutes at least a portion of the lower surface of the front part 10F of the device, the left side 10Ra of the right grip 10BR, and the right side 10La of the left grip 10BL. In this way, by covering the plurality of screws inserted into the lower case 80 with the lower cover 90 and forming at least a portion of the input device 1A with the lower cover 90, the fixing strength of the cases 40 and 80 and the frames 50 and 70 can be increased, and the rigidity of the input device 1A can be increased while minimizing the impact on the appearance of the input device 1A.

[0164] (6) The input device 1A also has an operating stick 400, as shown in Figure 15. As shown in Figure 17, the top member 410 of the operating stick 400, including the upper surface 410a that the user's finger touches, has a cylindrical portion 412 that extends downward. The base member 420 to which the top member 410 is attached has a column portion 422 that can be fitted inside the cylindrical portion 412. As shown in Figure 18A, an elastic member 430 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the column portion 422. The elastic member 430 is located inside the cylindrical portion 412 and restricts the upward movement of the top member 410 by catching on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 412. When the user biases the top member 410 upward while it is attached to the base member 420, the elastic member 430 bends. This allows the user to pull the top member 410 out of the base member 420. By replacing the top component 410 with another one, users can easily change the height, size, shape, and texture of the control stick 400.

[0165] (7) The trigger unit 130 of the input device 1A also has a stopper member 620 that contacts the trailing edges 16a, 16b of the trigger button to limit the range of motion of the trigger button 16, as shown in Figures 19A and 20. As shown in Figures 21A and 21C, the stopper member 620 is movable between an initial position that allows the trigger button to move within a distance ΔR1 and a final position that limits the movement of the trigger button to a distance ΔR3 smaller than the distance ΔR1. The operating member 630 engages with the stopper member 620 and can move in a different direction from the stopper member 620, moving the stopper member 620 between the initial position and the final position. By operating the operating member 630, the user can move the stopper member 620 between the initial position and the final position to adjust the range of motion of the trigger button 16.

[0166] [Differentiation] The present invention is not limited to the input device 1A described above, and various modifications may be made. For example, the arrangement of the operating members (operating buttons 11, etc.) in the input device 1A is not limited to the example in Figure 1. The number of operating buttons 11 may be one, or there may be more than four. Also, the positions of the multiple operating buttons 11 and the directional keys 12 may be swapped.

[0167] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 1, the function button 350 protrudes backward from the central part 10M, but the function button 350 may also protrude to the right from the left grip 10BL or from the right grip 10BR. This arrangement does not hinder the user's operation of the operation buttons 11, directional keys 12, operation stick 400, etc., and allows the user to quickly operate the function button 350 as needed. Note that the arrangement of the operation stick 400 and function button 350 in the input device 1A is not limited to the example shown in Figure 1. For example, the number of operation sticks 400 and function buttons 350 in the input device 1A may be one or more. Also, the number of operation sticks 400 and the number of function buttons 350 do not have to match.

[0168] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 8, both the upper case 40, which covers the upper part of the internal structure including the main frame 50 and the reinforcing frame 70, and the lower case 80, which covers the lower part of the internal structure, are attached to the internal structure by screws. However, the upper case 40 may be attached only to the lower case 80, or it may be attached to both the internal structure and the lower case 80. By ensuring the rigidity of the lower case 80 with the internal structure including the reinforcing frame 70, the rigidity of the upper case 40 can be ensured even when the upper case 40 is attached only to the lower case 80. Also, when the upper case 40 is attached to the internal structure, the lower case 80 may be attached only to the upper case 40. In this way, it is also possible to ensure the rigidity of both the upper case 40 and the lower case 80.

[0169] The following describes an input device 1B relating to a modified version of the present disclosure (another example of an embodiment). Figure 24 is an exploded perspective view showing the lower surface of the upper cover 90 and the main body 10 of the input device 1B. Figure 25 is a bottom view showing the lower surface of the input device 1B. Figure 26 is a diagram showing a part of the lower surface of the input device 1B with the lower cover 90 removed. The input device 1B differs from the input device 1A in that it has a cover lock member 700, which will be described later, and the upper cover 20 can be removed by operating the cover lock member 700. The input device 1B also differs from the input device 1A in that it has an operation lever 800, which will be described later, and the stick unit 30 can be attached and detached by operating the operation lever 800.

[0170] [Mounting structure for the top cover] Similar to input device 1A, an upper cover 20 (first outer cover) is attached to the main body 10 of input device 1B. As shown in Figure 24, the housing recess U10 formed in the main body 10 of input device 1B opens in two directions: upward (Z1 direction, indicated by arrow D1 in Figure 24) and backward (Y2 direction, indicated by arrow D2 in Figure 24). The operating stick 400 and the stick unit 30, including the support mechanism 330 for the operating stick 400, can be attached to and detached from the housing recess U10 in the front-rear direction. The upper cover 20, when attached to the main body 10, covers at least a portion of the opening of the housing recess U10. The main body 10 of input device 1B has an upper case 40 and a lower case 80 that are combined in the vertical direction, and the operating stick 400, which is at least a part of the stick unit 30, protrudes upward from the upper case 40. The upper cover 20, when attached to the main body 10, covers the outer surface of the upper case 40. As a result, the upper cover 20, together with the upper case 40, constitutes at least a portion of the upper surface 1d of the input device 1B.

[0171] As shown in Figure 24, the upper cover 20 has an engaging portion 21 (first engaging portion) that hooks onto the main body 10 of the input device 1B. The engaging portion 21 is formed on the rear edge (first edge) of the upper cover 20. More specifically, the upper cover 20 has a rear wall portion 23 that forms the rear edge in the central part of the upper cover 20. The engaging portion 21 is formed at the lower end of the rear wall portion 23. The upper cover 20 has two engaging portions 21 that are spaced apart in the left-right direction. Two recesses U40 are formed in the rear wall portion 23, where two function buttons 350 are respectively placed, and in the left-right direction, the two engaging portions 21 are located between the two recesses U40. The two engaging portions 21 hook onto the engaging portion 701 of a cover lock member 700, which will be described later, attached to the main body 10 of the input device 1B.

[0172] As shown in Figure 26, the main body 10 of the input device 1B has a cover lock member 700. The cover lock member 700 extends along the left-right direction and is attached to the lower case 80 that constitutes the main body 10 of the input device 1B. The cover lock member 700 is attached to the rear edge of the lower case 80.

[0173] Figure 27 shows a portion of the upper cover 20 and a portion of the cover lock member 700. Figure 27 shows the cover lock member 700 and the front (inside) of the upper cover 20 attached to the cover lock member 700. As shown in Figure 27, the cover lock member 700 has an engaging portion 701 (second engaging portion) for catching on the engaging portion 21 of the upper cover 20. The engaging portion 21 has a claw portion 21a protruding to one side in the left-right direction (right side (X2 direction) in the example of Figure 27), and the engaging portion 701 has a claw portion 701a protruding to the other side in the left-right direction (left side (X1 direction) in the example of Figure 27). When the upper surface of the claw portion 21a and the lower surface of the convex portion 701 come into contact, the claw portion 701a of the engaging portion 701 catches on the claw portion 21a of the engaging portion 21. The upper cover 20 has two engaging portions 21. The claw portions 21a of both engaging portions 21 all protrude in the same direction. Furthermore, the cover lock member 700 also has two engaging portions 701, and the claw portions 701a of both engaging portions 701 all protrude in the same direction.

[0174] As shown in Figures 26 and 27, the cover lock member 700 can move relative to the main body 10 of the input device 1B. The cover lock member 700 can move along the left-right direction relative to the lower case 80 that constitutes the main body 10, and can move between a locked position, shown by the solid line in Figures 26 and 27, in which the engaging portion 701 of the cover lock member 700 engages with the engaging portion 21 of the upper cover 20, and an unlocked position, shown by the dashed line in Figures 26 and 27, in which the engagement between the engaging portion 701 of the cover lock member 700 and the engaging portion 21 of the upper cover 20 is released. As shown in Figure 27, the locked position of the cover lock member 700 is defined in the direction in which the claw portion 701a of the engaging portion 701 protrudes relative to the unlocked position. In other words, the unlocked position of the cover lock member 700 is defined in the direction in which the claw portion 21a of the engaging portion 21 protrudes relative to the locked position. As the cover lock member 700 moves to the unlocked position, the lower surface of the protrusion 701 of the engaging portion 701 separates from the upper surface of the claw portion 21a of the engaging portion 21, and the engagement (hooking) of the engaging portion 701 with the engaging portion 21 is released. In other words, the lock of the upper cover 20 to the main body 10 is released.

[0175] As shown in Figure 26, the cover lock member 700 is biased to its initial locked position by an elastic member 710. The elastic member 710 is, for example, a tension spring, and biases the cover lock member 700 to the locked position by pulling the cover lock member 700 with both ends of the elastic member 710 attached to the cover lock member 700 and the lower case 80. The elastic member 710 is attached to the left or right side of the cover lock member 700 (left side in the example shown in Figure 26). The cover lock member 700 has a mounting portion 702 to which one end of the elastic member 710 is attached, and the lower case 80 has a mounting portion 84 to which the other end of the elastic member 710 is attached.

[0176] Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVIII-XXVIII in Figure 25. As shown in Figures 26 and 28, the cover lock member 700 has an operating part 703 that protrudes downward from the lower surface 700f of the cover lock member 700 and is operated by the user. The operating part 703 of the cover lock member 700 is located on the underside of the lower case 80. More specifically, the entire cover lock member 700 is located on the underside of the lower case 80. The lower case 80 has a recess 83 at its rear edge. The recess 83 opens downward and to the rear. The cover lock member 700 is mounted inside the recess 83. The lower surface 700f of the cover lock member 700 is flush with the lower surface 82 of the lower case 80.

[0177] As shown in Figure 28, the distance between the upper surface 1d and the lower surface 1f of the input device 1B gradually decreases toward the rear. Here, as shown in Figure 24, the upper cover 20, which constitutes at least a portion of the upper surface 1d of the input device 1B, has an engaging portion 21 on its rear edge. By providing the engaging portion 21 at a position where the distance between the upper surface 1d and the lower surface 1f is small, and by the engaging portion 21 engaging with the engaging portion 701 of the cover lock member 700, the length of the engaging portions 21 and 701 in the vertical direction can be reduced. This ensures the strength of the engaging portions 21 and 701. Also, as shown in Figure 24, the engaging portion 701 of the cover lock member 700 is located on the rear edge of the lower case 80. This also reduces the length of the engaging portions 21 and 701 in the vertical direction and ensures the strength of the engaging portions 21 and 701.

[0178] As shown in Figure 25, the operating portion 703 of the cover lock member 700 is exposed on the lower surface 1f of the input device 1B. In other words, the operating portion 703 of the cover lock member 700 is located on the underside of the lower case 80 and is exposed on the outer surface of the input device 1B. As shown in Figure 28, the lower cover 90 (second outer cover), which is attached to the underside of the input device 1B, covers at least a portion of the lower surface 82 of the lower case 80 and at least a portion of the lower surface 700f of the cover lock member 700, exposing the operating portion 703 of the cover lock member 700. The lower cover 90 has a hole H21 that exposes the operating portion 703 of the cover lock member 700. In the left-right direction, where movement of the cover lock member 700 is permitted, the hole H21 is wider than the operating portion 703. Therefore, the user can move the operating portion 703 exposed through the hole H21 in the left-right direction. When the operating section 703 is moved, the entire cover lock member 700, including the operating section 703, moves left to right relative to the lower case 80. As a result, the cover lock member 700 can move between the locked position shown by the solid line in Figures 26 and 27 and the unlocked position shown by the dashed line in the same figures.

[0179] As shown in Figure 24, the upper cover 20 has an engaging portion 22 (third engaging portion) on its front edge (second edge) that engages with the main body 10 of the input device 1B. By providing engaging portions 22 and 21 on the front and rear edges of the upper cover 20, the user can, for example, engage the engaging portion 22 on the front edge of the upper cover 20 with the main body 10, and then engage the engaging portion 21 on the rear edge of the upper cover 20 with the main body 10. In other words, the installation of the upper cover 20 becomes easier. The upper cover 20 has two engaging portions 22 that are spaced apart in the left-right direction on its front edge. The two engaging portions 22 fit into two recesses U13 that are spaced equally apart in the left-right direction on the main body 10 of the input device 1B. Each engaging portion 22 extends downward from the front end of the edge of the hole H30 through which the operating stick 400 passes, and has a shape that protrudes forward at its lower end.

[0180] The recess U13 into which the engaging portion 22 of the upper cover 20 fits is formed in the upper case 40. The upper case 40 has two recesses U13 that open to the rear and into which the two engaging portions 22 fit. The upper case 40 has a recess U11 that opens upward and to the rear at the location of the housing recess U10 into which the stick unit 30 is placed. A recess U13 that opens to the rear is formed at the front end of the rear surface 41 which is curved along this recess U11.

[0181] As shown in Figure 28, the main body 10 of the input device 1B has an elastic member 750 that biases the upper cover 20 away from the main body 10. In the example shown in Figure 28, the elastic member 750 is a coil spring, but any material that can be elastically deformed may be used, such as a metal leaf spring, rubber, or resin. By biasing the upper cover 20 away from the main body 10 with the elastic member 750 in this way, it is possible to suppress rattling of the upper cover 20 relative to the main body 10 when the vibration motor 120 provided on the main body 10 vibrates.

[0182] As shown in Figure 24, the upper cover 20 has a hole H30 (opening), and the stick unit 30 attached to the main body 10 of the input device 1B has an operating stick 400 that extends in the direction passing through the hole H30 of the upper cover 20. Here, the elastic member 750 biases the upper cover 20 upward, in the direction in which the operating stick 400 extends. In this way, the user can easily remove the upper cover 20 upward from the main body 10 by moving the cover lock member 70 to the unlock position, thereby releasing the engagement of the cover lock member 700's engagement portion 701 from the engagement portion 21 of the upper cover 20.

[0183] As shown in Figures 24 and 28, the main body 10 has a recess U14 that opens upward. An elastic member 750 is housed inside this recess U14. As shown in Figure 28, the recess U14 is composed of a hole that penetrates the upper case 40 vertically and the upper surface 50d of the main frame 50.

[0184] As shown in Figures 24 and 28, the upper cover 20 has a protrusion 25 that fits into the recess U14. The protrusion 25 is formed on the lower surface (back surface) 20f of the upper cover 20 and protrudes downward from the lower surface 20f of the upper cover 20. The elastic member 750 pushes the protrusion 25 of the upper cover 20 upward, thereby suppressing rattling of the upper cover 20 relative to the main body 10 of the input device 1B and making it easier to remove the upper cover 20 from the main body 10.

[0185] As shown in Figure 24, the main body 10 of the input device 1B has two housing recesses U10 that accommodate two stick units 30, one of each. Two holes H30 formed in the upper cover 20 attached to the main body 10 expose at least a portion of one of the two stick units 30 (such as the operating stick 400) and at least a portion of the other of the two stick units 30 (such as the operating stick 400). Here, the protrusion 25 of the upper cover 20 is located between the two holes H30. This prevents the upper cover 20 from being biased upward and to the right (or left) at an oblique direction, and more effectively suppresses rattling of the upper cover 20 relative to the main body 10. Also, when removing the upper cover 20 from the main body 10, the upper cover 20 moves away in the direction of the protrusion of the operating stick 400, so that the operating stick 400 and the like do not get caught on the edge of the hole H30.

[0186] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 24, the protrusion 25 is located behind the front edge of the hole H30 and in front of the rear edge of the hole H30. This arrangement also prevents the operation stick 400 from getting caught on the edge of the hole H30 when the upper cover 20 is removed from the main body 10, as the upper cover 20 moves away from the main body 10 in the direction of the protrusion of the operation stick 400.

[0187] As shown in Figure 24, the upper cover 20 has two protrusions 25. The main body 10 of the input device 1B has two recesses U14, and two elastic members 750 are housed inside the two recesses U14, respectively. The two protrusions 25 of the upper cover 20 fit into the two recesses U14 of the main body 10, respectively. Therefore, the distance between the two protrusions 25 is equal to the distance between the two recesses U14. In this way, by providing the upper cover 20 with two protrusions 25 and pressing the two protrusions 25 with the two elastic members 750, rattling of the upper cover 20 due to vibration of the main body 10 can be more effectively suppressed, and removal of the upper cover 20 from the main body 10 can be made easier. The two protrusions 25 are aligned in the left-right direction, and both protrusions are located between the two holes H30, and in the front-rear direction, they are located between the front end and the rear end of the edge of the hole H30. The distance between one of the two protrusions 25 and one of the two holes H30 is equal to the distance between the other of the two protrusions 25 and the other of the two holes H30. The main body 10 has an operation button 13 that protrudes upward from the central part 10M, and a hole H31 is formed in the central part of the upper cover 20 that exposes the operation button 13 upward. The distance between the hole H31 and one of the two protrusions 25 is equal to the distance between the hole H31 and the other of the two protrusions 25.

[0188] Similar to the example of input device 1A, the upper cover 20 has an edge portion 24 on a part of its outer periphery, and the lower cover 90, which covers the lower case 80 and the cover lock member 700, has an edge portion 92 on a part of its outer periphery adjacent to the edge portion 24 of the upper cover 20. In this way, the upper cover 20 and the lower cover 90 have adjacent edges 24 and 92 to each other, which improves the appearance of the input device 1B.

[0189] The upper cover 20 has edges 24 on its right and left sides, respectively, located on opposite sides of the rear wall 23 that forms the rear edge of the upper cover 20. The lower cover 90 also has edges 92 on its right and left sides. The two edges 92 of the lower cover 90 are located on the left side surface 10Ra of the right grip 10BR and the right side surface 10La of the left grip 10BL, respectively. The two edges 24 of the upper cover 20 are adjacent to the left side surface 10Ra of the right grip 10BR and the right side surface 10La of the left grip 10BL, respectively. The outer surfaces of the upper cover 20 and the lower cover 90 are flush at the edges 24 and 92. This improves the appearance of the input device 1B.

[0190] As described later, a portion of the housing recess U15 that accommodates the operating lever 800 is formed on the left side surface 10Ra of the right grip 10BR and the right side surface 10La of the left grip 10BL. The edge portion 24 (protruding edge) of the upper cover 20 is located behind the rear edge of the upper cover 20 (outer surface of the rear wall portion 23) and is located on the left side surface 10Ra of the right grip 10BR and the right side surface 10La of the left grip 10BL. In this way, the housing recess U15 and the operating lever 800 can be made larger in the extension direction of the grips BL and BR, making it easier for the user to operate the operating lever 800.

[0191] [Mounting structure of the stick unit using the control lever] As shown in Figure 24, the main body 10 of the input device 1B has operating levers (stopper members) 800L and 800R in the housing recess U10. The main body 10 has two housing recesses U10 located on the front part 10F of the device, separated in the left-right direction. The operating lever 800L is attached to the housing recess U10 located on the left side of the input device 1B (left part 10L of the front part 10F of the device), and the operating lever 800R is attached to the housing recess U10 located on the right side of the input device 1B (right part 10R of the front part 10F of the device). The operating lever 800L is attached to the left side of the housing recess U10, and the operating lever 800R is attached to the right side of the housing recess U10. In the following description, the two operating levers 800L and 800R may be simply referred to as the operating lever 800.

[0192] Figures 29A and 29B are plan views of the input device 1B with the top cover 20 (see Figure 24) removed. Figures 30A to 30C are side views of the stick unit 30 and the operating lever 800 (more specifically, the operating lever 800L). Figures 29A and 30A show the operating lever 800L in the locked position (first position), and Figures 29B and 30C show the operating lever 800L in the unlocked position (second position). Figure 30B shows the operating lever 800L in an intermediate position between the locked and unlocked positions.

[0193] The operating lever 800L can move between the locked position shown in Figures 29A and 30A and the unlocked position shown in Figures 29B and 30C. In the example of input device 1B, the operating lever 800L has a shaft portion 810 (see Figure 30A) with an axis Ax8L defined along a direction intersecting the front-rear direction (the direction in which the stick unit 30 is attached to and detached from the main body 10 of input device 1B), and is rotatable around axis Ax8L. Similarly, the operating lever 800R also has a shaft portion 810 with an axis Ax8R defined along a direction intersecting the front-rear direction, and is rotatable between the locked position and the unlocked position around axis Ax8R. In the example shown in Figures 29A and 29B, axes Ax8L and Ax8R lie on the same straight line along the left-right direction (a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the stick unit 30 is attached to and detached). In addition to this, axes Ax8L and Ax8R may be aligned diagonally with respect to the left-right direction, and they do not have to be on the same straight line. In the following explanation, axes Ax8L and Ax8R may sometimes be simply referred to as axis Ax8.

[0194] As shown in Figure 30A, the operating lever 800 has an operating part 820 extending from the shaft portion 810. By operating the operating part 820, the user can move the operating lever 800 in the rotational direction R8-1 (the direction from the locked position to the unlocked position of the operating lever 800) or in the rotational direction R8-2 (the direction from the unlocked position to the locked position), which is the opposite direction of rotational direction R8-1.

[0195] As shown in Figure 24, the housing recess U10 formed in the main body 10 of the input device 1B opens in two directions: upward (Z1 direction, indicated by arrow D1 in Figure 24) and backward (Y2 direction, indicated by arrow D2 in Figure 24), and the stick unit 30 can be attached to and detached from the main body 10 in the front-to-back direction. Here, as will be described later, when the operating lever 800 is in the locked position, it restricts the movement of the stick unit 30 in the front-to-back direction. When the operating lever 800 is in the unlocked position, it allows the movement of the stick unit 30 in the front-to-back direction.

[0196] Figure 31 is a rear view showing the rear surface of the stick unit. As shown in Figure 31, the stick unit 30 has a protrusion 385 that projects to the left or to the right from the side surface 30d of the stick unit 30. In the example shown in Figure 30, the stick unit 30 has two protrusions 385, one on the left side and one on the right side of the stick unit 30. In this way, the same stick unit 30 (a stick unit 30 with the same structure and shape, etc.) can be used for the stick unit 30 housed in the housing recess U10 on the left side of the input device 1B and the stick unit 30 housed in the housing recess U10 on the right side of the input device 1B. The protrusions 385 are located below the dome-shaped upper wall portion 381 that constitutes the outer surface of the stick unit 30. The protrusion 385 located on the left side of the stick unit 30 protrudes to the left beyond the left end of the upper wall portion 381. The protrusion 385 located on the right side of the stick unit 30 protrudes to the right beyond the right end of the upper wall portion 381.

[0197] As shown in Figure 30A, the operating lever 800 has a stopper portion (first portion) 850 that is located behind the protrusion 385 of the stick unit 30 when the operating lever 800 is in the locked position and contacts the protrusion 385. When the connector 31 of the stick unit 30 is fitted into the connector 63 of the main body 10 and the operating lever 800 is in the locked position, the stopper portion 850 of the operating lever 800 contacts the rear side of the protrusion 385, thereby restricting the backward movement of the stick unit 30. A recess 385a is formed on the rear surface of the protrusion 385 of the stick unit 30, and a protrusion 850a is formed on the front surface of the stopper portion 850. When the operating lever 800 is in the locked position, the protrusion 850a of the stopper portion 850 fits inside the recess 385a of the stick unit 30. This restricts the operating lever 800, which is in the locked position, from moving in the rotational direction R8-1 (the direction from the locked position to the unlocked position of the operating lever 800) around the axis Ax8.

[0198] A spring mechanism 900 is attached to the shaft portion 810 of the operating lever 800. The spring mechanism 900 biases the shaft portion 810 of the operating lever 800 so that it moves in the rotational direction R8-2. In this way, it is possible to restrict the operating lever 800 from moving naturally in the rotational direction R8-1 when it is in the locked position. The user can move the operating lever 800 in the rotational direction R8-1 against the force of the spring mechanism 900 and other forces. When the operating lever 800 moves in the rotational direction R8-1 to the unlocked position shown in Figure 30C, the stopper portion 850 of the operating lever 800 moves above the protrusion 385 and no longer interferes with the protrusion 385 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the operating lever 800 is in the unlocked position, the stick unit 30 is allowed to move backward.

[0199] When the operating lever 800 moves from the intermediate position shown in Figure 30B to the locked position shown in Figure 30A, the stopper portion 850 of the operating lever 800 moves the stick unit 30 toward the main body 10. For example, when the stick unit 30 is located in the housing recess U10 of the input device 1B, and the connector 31 of the stick unit 30 is not fully mated with the connector 63 of the main body 10 (not electrically connected), as shown in Figure 30B, the protrusion 850a of the stopper portion 850 moves along the rotational direction R8-2 while contacting the protrusion 385 of the stick unit 30, pushing the protrusion 385 forward (in the direction indicated by arrow D3 in Figure 30B). As a result, the entire stick unit 30, including the protrusion 385, is pushed forward, and the connector 31 of the stick unit 30 moves toward mating with the connector 63 of the main body 10. The user can move the stick unit 30 toward the main body 10 by moving the operating lever 800 to the locked position via the operating unit 820, thereby connecting the connector 31 of the stick unit 30 to the connector 63 of the main body 10. In this way, using the operating lever 800 makes it easy to attach the stick unit 30 to the main body 10.

[0200] The length of the operating section 820 (the distance from the axis Ax8 to the rear end of the operating section 820) is greater than the distance from the axis Ax8 to the protrusion 850a. Therefore, the force required to push the stick unit 30 forward can be reduced. As a result, even if the tolerance between the protrusion 310b (guided portion) formed on the stick unit 30 shown in Figure 14 and the grooves 76L and 76R (guide portions) formed on the reinforcing frame 70 is reduced in order to suppress the stick unit 30 from wobbling relative to the main body 10, the stick unit 30 can be fitted into the housing recess U10 with a small operating force.

[0201] As shown in Figure 30B, the rear surface of the protrusion 385 of the stick unit 30 has an inclined surface 385b at its upper end. When the operating lever 800 moves in the rotational direction R8-2 from the intermediate position shown in Figure 30B, the protrusion 850a of the stopper portion 850 can move toward the recess 385a while pushing the inclined surface 385b forward. The operating lever 800 also has an inclined surface 850b (see Figure 30A) between the protrusion 850a and the shaft portion 810, which has an axis Ax8 defined. As shown in Figure 30A, when the operating lever 800 is in the locked position, the inclined surface 850b of the stopper portion 850 contacts the inclined surface 385b of the protrusion 385, restricting the movement of the stick unit 30 in the forward and backward directions.

[0202] The stick unit 30 has an extension portion 860 that extends from the shaft portion 810 in a direction different from that of the operating portion 820. The extension portion 860 extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the operating portion 820 extends. When the connector 31 of the stick unit 30 is engaged with the connector 63 of the main body 10, and the operating lever 800 moves from the intermediate position shown in Figure 30B to the unlocked position shown in Figure 30C, the extension portion 860 of the operating lever 800 moves the stick unit 30 away from the main body 10. That is, the extension portion 860 moves the stick unit 30 in a direction that causes the connector 31 of the stick unit 30 to disengage from the connector 63 of the main body 10. When the operating lever 800 is moved in the rotational direction R8-1 to the unlock position, the extension part 860 moves along the rotational direction R8-1 while contacting the front surface of the protrusion 385 of the stick unit 30, pushing the protrusion 385 backward (in the direction indicated by arrow D2 in Figure 30C). As a result, the entire stick unit 30, including the protrusion 385, is pushed backward, and the connector 31 of the stick unit 30 moves in a direction that detaches it from the connector 63 of the main body 10. The user can detach the connector 31 of the stick unit 30 from the connector 63 of the main body 10 by moving the operating lever 800 to the unlock position via the operating part 820. In other words, the stick unit 30 can be easily removed from the main body 10 by using the operating lever 800.

[0203] As mentioned above, the operating lever 800 has an operating section 820 extending from the shaft portion 810. As shown in Figures 29A and 29B, the operating section 820 extends away from the housing recess U10 where the stick unit 30 is located in the left-right direction (a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the stick unit 30 is attached to and detached from the main body 10 of the input device 1B). The operating section 820 extends along the direction of the intersection of the axis Ax8, not perpendicular to the axis Ax8. With the stick unit 30 attached to the main body 10, the end of the operating lever 800, including the operating section 820, is away from the stick unit 30 in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 29A, the operating section 820 of the left operating lever 800L in the locked position extends diagonally to the rear and left relative to the housing recess U10. Also, the operating section 820 of the right operating lever 800R in the locked position extends diagonally to the rear and right relative to the housing recess U10. This prevents the user's fingers from interfering with the stick unit 30 when the user is touching the control unit 820 to operate the control lever 800.

[0204] As shown in Figure 24, the operating lever 800 is attached to the main body 10 of the input device 1B. More specifically, it is attached to the upper case 40 that constitutes the main body 10. The main body 10 also has a housing recess U15 that opens upward and backward on the left or right side of the housing recess U10 in which the stick unit 30 is placed. When the operating lever 800 is in the locked position, the entire operating lever 800 is housed inside the housing recess U15. In other words, when the operating lever 800 is in the locked position, the entire operating lever 800 is positioned below the upper surface 1d of the input device 1B. This prevents the operating lever 800 from interfering with the upper cover 20 attached to the main body 10 of the input device 1B. In addition, a space U15a is provided below the housing recess U15, and the user can easily lift the operating part 820 of the operating lever 800 by placing their fingertips inside the space U15a.

[0205] A portion of the housing recess U15 that accommodates the left operating lever 800L is formed on the right side surface 10La of the left grip 10BL. Similarly, a portion of the housing recess U15 that accommodates the right operating lever 800R is formed on the left side surface 10Ra of the right grip 10BR. In this way, the housing recess U15 and the operating levers 800 can be enlarged in the extension direction of the left and right grips 10BL and 10BR, making it easier for the user to operate the operating levers 800.

Claims

1. A support member having a shaft portion and moving about an axis defined by the shaft portion, A sensor that is located away from the axis in a first direction perpendicular to the axis and outputs a signal corresponding to the movement of the support member, A housing that houses the support member and the sensor, An operated member that extends in a second direction perpendicular to the axis and intersecting the first direction, and protrudes from the housing. It has, The operated member is attached to the support member so as to move together with the support member, and is removable from the support member by operation from outside the housing. The operated member has an insertion portion that extends in the second direction and is configured to be inserted into a hole formed in the support member through a hole formed in the housing. Input device.

2. One of the support member and the operated member has a magnet, and is attached to the other member by the magnetic force of the magnet. An input device as described in claim 1.

3. The magnet is positioned on the opposite side of the sensor with respect to the axis. The input device described in claim 2.

4. The member to be operated is, Initial position and, A first rotational direction is defined with respect to the initial position, with respect to the axis, and a first tilted position is defined in which the sensor is pressed via the support member, It can move to a second inclined position defined by a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction relative to the initial position, The operated member has a stopper portion, When the operated member is in the second inclined position, further movement in the second rotational direction is restricted by the collision between the stopper portion and other members, while movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis is permitted. An input device as described in claim 1.

5. It further has a magnet, The support member and the operated member are attached to each other by the magnetic force of the magnet. The operated member is defined as having an initial position and a first tilted position in which it presses the sensor via the support member, with respect to the initial position being a first rotational direction about the axis. When the operated member is in the initial position, it is biased toward the first inclined position by the magnetic force and is in contact with the support member. An input device as described in claim 1.

6. The support member can move about the axis between a first position away from the sensor and a second position pressing against the sensor. The support member is biased to the first position by a spring, The spring is positioned on the opposite side of the axis from the sensor. An input device as described in claim 1.

7. An operable member attached to a support member of an input device, A protruding part having an operable surface that is operated by the user's finger, It has an insertion portion that extends in a first direction and is inserted into the inside of a hole formed in the support member, The insertion portion is oriented in a second direction intersecting the first direction and has a magnetic force receiving surface that faces the magnet of the support member. Operated member.

8. It has a supported portion located between the protruding portion and the insertion portion, covering the opening of the hole formed in the support member, and supported by the support member. The operated member as described in claim 7.

9. The width of the protrusion in the third direction intersecting the first and second directions is greater than twice the width of the supported portion in the third direction. The operated member as described in claim 8.

10. The insertion portion has a curved portion that extends from the supported portion in the first direction and then curves, The supported portion and the curved portion form a recess into which the edge of the opening can catch. The operated member as described in claim 8.

11. The insertion portion has a first protrusion that protrudes from the curved portion in the first direction, The first protrusion has a magnetic force receiving surface and a surface facing in the opposite direction from the magnetic force receiving surface. The operated member as described in claim 10.

12. The insertion portion has a second protrusion that extends from the curved portion in a direction intersecting the first direction and fits into a recess formed on the inner surface of the hole. The operated member as described in claim 10.

13. An inclined surface is formed on the second protrusion. The operated member as described in claim 12.

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